Pinnacle Motorsport extends F3 Asian championship lead with double victory in Dubai
Motorsport Ireland International Licenced team, Pinnacle Motorsport, further extended its championship lead after another dominant Pierre-Louis Chovet performance during the F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA's penultimate event of 2021. He scored two race victories and a podium at the Dubai Autodrome over the weekend putting him 32 points ahead in the title race.
The Frenchman was again amongst the quickest drivers in Free Practice and Qualifying where he would land a P2 and P3 slot on the grid. His fellow countryman Alexandre Bardinon was consistent in both sessions to secure P14, as was Alessio Deledda who ended up in P17.
Chovet's lighting-quick starts once again played a vital role in Race 10. It saw him to outrun pole-sitter Guanyu Zhou and take the lead as the field shuffled into Turn 1. Although he was constantly under pressure from Zhou, Chovet kept his focus before a late safety car period allowed him to stay in 1st place until the chequered flag dropped. Further down the field was Deledda who maintained position throughout the 15-lap race to finish in 17th. Unfortunately for Bardinon, he would suffer a DNF after making contact while fighting for P12.
Starting from the second row of the grid in Race 11, Chovet dropped down to P5 in the opening laps while battling for position. But the championship leader was propelled up to 3rd when two front-runners collided, which he kept until the end of the race. Deledda also enjoyed his on-track battles. This time his best efforts would be rewarded with point-scoring position in 10th. Bardinon finished not so far behind in 13th place.
Pinnacle Motorsport once again lead the field in Race 12 after both front-row starters stumbled as the lights went out. Despite a safety car period and a restart, nothing could stop Chovet from claiming his sixth win of the season. Deledda was unable to repeat his success in the previous race and had to settle for 16th. Bardinon, on the other hand, again failed to finish after he was unable to avoid a spinning car in front.
With a total of six victories, Chovet heads to the season finale with a 32 point lead in the Driver's Classification, while Pinnacle Motorsport holds onto 2nd in the Team's Championship. The title decider for the 2021 F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA will take place from the 19th to 21st of February at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
John O'Hara, Team Director: “Another solid weekend from the team and our drivers. We're improving at every event and thrilled to come away with two wins and a podium finish here in Dubai. A big congratulations to Pierre-Louis and looking forward to the season ender next week. Although we're heading to Yas Marina with a 32 point advantage, it doesn't give us reason to relax. We'll be fighting again for race wins and aiming to take the championship.”
Accompanying Pinnacle Motorsport on their F3 Asian Championship campaign are partners Teng Tools and Motorsport Ireland.
Organized by Top Speed, F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA is a new single-spec F3 championship designed to provide a stepping stone for regional drivers into Formula 2 and ultimately Formula 1. It focuses on performance, safety, and cost control for up-and-coming talent in the world's most dynamic region
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