Alex Sims has taken victory in the second race of the GP3 series in Spa avoiding first corner carnage in the process.
The 27 drivers faced a nervy few laps as the race got under way as they all decided on slick tyres for the damp track – however many of them managed to keep their GP3/13s on the track.
Starting from pole Tio Ellinas must have thought he had the perfect opportunity to close the gap to GP3 series leader Facu Regalia but was hit into retirement on the first corner of the first lap as Bamboo Engineering’s Melville McKee tried to go up the inside of the Cypriot at La Source. The Carlin driver immediately retired but McKee survived, for a time, with a drive through for the incident.
That set the ground work for Sims in the second Carlin, avoiding the chaos unscathed – the Brit gained a two second lead by the end of the first lap.
Following McKee serving his drive through, Conor Daly and ART Grand Prix team mate Facu Regalia assumed position as the runners up on the podium but were unable to trouble Sims.
Another Brit on a charge was Dino Zamparelli, starting in tenth place he managed to get as high as sixth but race one winner Daniil Kvyat put up a strong battle and eventually weaselled his way back in to sixth place. The two however, were glued to each other for the rest of the race.
Also collecting valuable GP3 points were Robert Visoiu, Patric Niederhauser and Lewis Williamson.
Of course it wouldn’t be a true GP3 race without last lap disasters and taking up the mantle this weekend was Aaro Vainio and Luis Sa Silva who both collided and ended up in the gravel trap.
In the points table Regalia has extended his lead to 14 points over nearest rival Conor Daly, who has taken over from Tio Ellinas who has 95 points – following very closely is Kevin Korjus who is only two points behind and must be smelling blood.
The next GP3 weekend is at Monza in two weeks time for the penultimate round of the season.
