Motorsport: Sato edges closer to F3 title

Carlin Motorsport team mates, Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato finished first and second respectively in the first of today’s British Formula 3 races at Thruxton.

Davidson was a clear winner but second place for Sato gives him the opportunity to claim the title in the second race later this afternoon.

With Ireland’s Derek Hayes finishing sixth, Sato is 98 points ahead in the series.

Mark Mayall dominated the Scholarship class with Robbie Kerr taking second and extending his championship lead over Matthew Gilmore to 25 points.

Gilmore was fourth with Michael Keohane fifth.

The Cork driver remarked that his Meritus run car was not handling properly on the Hampshire circuit.

Earlier, Matt Pinny won the Ford Credit Fiesta race from Nick Padley.

Irish duo, Colin Turkington and Eoin Murray were third and fourth. Murray, who began the race in pole, slipped back on the opening lap.

He recovered and moved into second two laps from the finish only to slip back once again.

Turkington also lost time when he drifted too wide at the chicane.

BRITISH FORMULA 3, THRUXTON.

Round 11; Race 1.

1. A. Davidson 27M. 39.683S.

2. T. Sato 27M. 41.480S.

3. G. Bruni 27M. 48.535S.

Scholarship:

1. M. Mayall 28M. 14.525S.

2. R. Kerr 28M. 16.409S.

3. K. Hoshino 28M. 18.303S.