Asian Motor Sports

An international driver won today’s first race of the Dodo Australian Formula 3 non championship races at the Formula 1™ Fosters Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix today – but it wasn’t the one many expected.

British driver James Winslow, a late addition to the field driving a Piccola Scuderia F304, won an incredible race at Albert Park today after a drama filled day that included three on track sessions for a competitive 24-car field.

Winslow was the main beneficiary of a dramatic race that saw three different race leaders throughout its eight lap duration – including three lead changes within five corners on the last lap.

High profile international driver Bruno Senna impressed on his Australian debut, posting strong times all weekend and challenging for the lead in the dramatic race this afternoon.

After scoring a crushing pole position in Qualifying, Astuti Motorsport driver Michael Trimble stumbled at the start of today’s race and dropped to the bottom of the top ten.

After assuming the lead into the opening corner, Chris Alajajian and Brazilian Senna began to run away from the field at a great rate of knots, going head to head in a close battle for the first five laps.

Behind the leaders, Michael Trimble had begun an inspired charge through the field, re-setting the Albert Park formula 3 lap record three times as he hauled in the leaders.

With three to go Trimble had closed to be directly behind the race leaders and a fantastic three car battle for the lead ensured - keeping the large Thursday crowd on the edge of their seats.

On the penultimate lap of the race, however, leader Alajajian spun at turn 15 after locking his rear brakes, handing the lead to Senna who was being hounded by the recovered Trimble.

After failing to make a move on the start-finish straight, Trimble dived to the inside of the Team BRM Car Senna was driving at turn 3 only to touch his rear wheel with Senna’s front – spinning the Astuti car and badly damaging the Right front wheel on Senna’s.

Limping home, Senna was passed by Winslow who went on to record a fortunate, yet stunning victory.

But the race hadn’t ended yet – Alajajian and Trimble colliding heavily after the Astuti car rejoined the circuit at the same time Alajajian was passing. Alajajian’s Insight F3 car was eliminated immediately whilst Trimble was able to limp home to second place.

Tim Macrow – who had struggled for a lack of outright speed in Qualifying – was a surprised third after making substantial gains before the first race. Bruno Senna survived a last lap off to finish fourth but after lapping underneath the existing lap record today is looking dangerous as he comes to grips with the different car this weekend.

Winslow, who has competed in both Asian and British Formula 3 in recent years, scored Piccola Scuderia Corse’s first win since Mallala in 2005 and was justifiably surprised to taste glory early in the weekend.

“It’s a gift win, but I’ll definitely take it!