Hulkenberg takes comfortable win
Nico Hulkenberg increased his Formula 3 Euro Series points lead with what was ultimately a comfortable win in Barcelona
But the polesitter had to work hard for his victory, spending the first 21 laps stuck behind Yann Clairay. The SG Formula driver hit the front when the fast-starting Richard Philippe took out Jules Bianchi at the first corner of the race, forcing Hulkenberg to take evasive action.
The Frenchman was driving a fine defensive race to keep Hulkenberg at bay, but his guard finally dropped as he overshot his braking point for Turn 1, allowing Hulkenberg, Sam Bird and Christian Vietoris through.
Once ahead, Hulkenberg relentlessly built up a winning margin over Bird. Clairay battled for fourth with Mika Maki, until the Finn stopped with a mechanical problem two laps from the finish.
This promoted James Jakes to fifth, Dani Clos to sixth, Erik Janis to seventh, while eighth, and pole for tomorrow's race, fell to Manor's Kazuya Oshima.
Pos Driver Team Car Time
1. Nico Hulkenberg ART D/M 40:54.636
2. Sam Bird Manor D/M +2.263
3. Christian Vietoris Mucke D/M +3.159
4. Yann Clairay SG D/M +11.194
5. James Jakes ART D/M +13.379
6. Dani Clos Prema D/M +14.150
7. Erik Janis Mucke D/M +14.731
8. Kazuya Oshima Manor D/M +18.069
9. Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V +19.215
10. Jon Lancaster ART D/M +20.148
11. Jens Klingmann RC D/V +24.617
12. Franck Mailleux Signature D/V +29.864
13. Peter Elkmann RC D/V +30.544
14. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M +31.072
15. Stefano Coletti Prema D/M +32.793
16. Niall Breen Manor D/M +40.354
17. Jean-Karl Vernay Signature D/V +49.488
18. Stephane Richelmi Barazi Epsilon D/M +57.694
19. Richard Philippe SG D/M +58.902
20. Rodolfo Gonzalez Carlin D/M +1:03.918
21. Cong Fu Cheng RC D/V +1:04.666
22. Basil Shaaban HBR D/M +1 lap
Not classified
Driver Team Car Laps
Mika Maki Mucke D/M 33
Renger van der Zande Prema D/M 32
Henkie Waldschmidt SG D/M 9
Robert Wickens Signature D/V 3
Jules Bianchi ART D/M 0
Fastest lap, Waldschmidt 1:07.272 on lap 7
D/M = Dallara Mercedes, D/V = Dallara Volkswagen
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