In what will be remembered as one of the teams’ best ever weekends, Astuti Motorsport has managed to do the double by scoring their first ever 1-2 race finish and placing driver Charlie Hollings into the championship lead in the same weekend.
Hollings (#11 Shell Racing Solutions Dallara) won race one at Eastern Creek at the weekend ahead of team-mate Michael Trimble (#10 Lista Dallara) and lifted himself into the championship lead for the first time this season.
Starting third, Hollings made a stunning start from the second row and vaulted himself into the race one lead by turn one. With Trimble slotting in behind, the pair topped the field for each of the 14 laps on the way to a stunning 1-2 for the team.
Trimble had started from the front row in his second Formula 3 round this season, following a strong return to the category at Mallala a fortnight ago.
In race two Hollings finished third to secure his place at the top of the championship, with Trimble just behind in fourth place.
The solid result backed up the strong score in race one and gave the team the points they needed for the championship battle.
Team owner Sam Astuti said that the 1-2 race result was an additional bonus after Hollings took the championship lead.
”We came here with a plan to try and get the championship lead, ” he enthused.
”To be able to score a 1-2 result at the same time is just a brilliant feeling. It’s a top effort from the guys working on the cars and the teams’ supporters.
”It is so hard to win this season because the series is so competitive. Charlie has won three times now and he’s the only driver to win more than twice.
“Michael has done a great job for us over the last two rounds and I’m pleased that he could be part of this. I’m thrilled with the results and the fact that Charlie is now in front. ” he said.
Hollings was understandably just as pleased, given his first venture to Eastern Creek for the opening round of the 2007 series showed plenty of pace but not much in the way of results after drive-through penalties ruined a potentially good weekend.
Hollings converted a five-point deficit into a six-point lead at the weekend, with three rounds remaining.
“It’s been a great weekend, ” said the new championship leader.
”The team is pushing very hard and we are very confident heading into the final few rounds of the championship.
”It’s great to win again. The second race didn’t go quite to plan but you need the seconds and thirds to keep getting championship points. It’s been a fantastic weekend and I can’t wait for Phillip Island. ”
Trimble, who added his 25th career F3 podium to his resume’ with second in Race 1, was pleased to be a part of Astuti Motorsports’ first 1 – 2.
Trimble gave the team their first race win (in their current format) in late 2005 and also won twice for them last season.
“This is great for Sam, ” Trimble said.
”I got a great start in race one and slotted in behind Charlie. It was a fantastic race and I’m just happy to be part of the result. ”
Astuti Motorsport will next be in action at the sixth round of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit in August.
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