Daly takes best ever gp3 finish at spa

27 August 2011

GP3 driver Conor Daly took a fifth place finish for Carlin today in race one of the weekend at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The 19 year-old American started sixth and moved up to fifth in the early stages, putting in a flawless drive to hold onto the position despite intense pressure from behind. Leonardo Cordeiro had a chaotic race to finish 21st while Callum Macleod was taken out of contention on lap one after contact with another car.

The GP3 drivers took to the grid in wet conditions this afternoon, with all 30 cars shod with wet tyres. Following a long wait on the grid, the lights finally went out with Daly making a good start and immediately fighting Nick Yelloly for position. Macleod meanwhile was quickly making up places from the back of the grid and had already caught the mid field by the first corner.

Macleod’s progress was soon halted however, when the Carlin man was sandwiched on the exit of La Source and made contact with Zoel Amberg which put Macleod into a spin and ultimately into the wall and out of the race.

Daly meanwhile was chasing Yelloly for position up Eau Rouge, before making a move shortly after to tae fifth. Having made up one position, Daly set about catching the duelling Adrian Quaife Hobbs and Nico Muller who were caught up in the battle for third.

Behind Daly, Alexander Sims was making quick progress and had passed Tom Dillmann and was soon charging up behind Daly. By lap six, Sims was right behind the Carlin driver, but Daly coped well with the pressure and held off the more experienced Sims corner after corner.

On lap eight Sims was really on the attack and was all over the back of Daly, but still the American held position, forcing Sims into a mistake which resulted in a spin. That gave Daly some breathing space, allowing him to consolidate his fifth place until the chequered flag. Cordeiro meanwhile was battling his way through the field and crossed the line 21st.

Speaking about his race, Daly said, “I made a good start compared to the wet starts I’ve made recently! I was fighting with Yelloly pretty much straight away but I backed off a little going into Eau Rouge as I didn’t want us to make contact. I got him on the next section though and then just concentrated on staying on track.

“Then I had Sims behind me and I really want to keep my position. It could see him behind me at one point, and then he started to spin and just tapped me as he went off. Thankfully I was able to continue and take our best ever GP3 finish. It’s a great result for the team; we’ve all been working so hard and it’s great to see things coming together. It’s great that we have a fourth place grid position tomorrow as well with another chance of a good result.”

Race two of the weekend will take place at 9.20 local time tomorrow morning.