Bianchi beats Hulkenberg in Masters of F3 race

Jules Bianchi drove an outstanding race in the wet to claim his maiden Formula 3 victory in the Masters of F3 at Zolder today.

The French rookie started alongside his ART Grand Prix teammate Nico Hulkenberg on the front row and took the lead at the start when Hulkenberg choked and was slow off the line despite having the pole position.

He was able to maintain a gap over the race favorite for the first half of the race and then pull clear to take a 4.4 second victory in tricky drying conditions.

Amazingly, Bianchi has been driving race cars for less than two year, yet traded fastest laps with Hulkenberg throughout the race run in very tricky conditions. His more experienced teammate had no answer for him and had to settle for second.

"I'm really happy to get my first win in the Masters," said Bianchi. "I tried to make a gap in the first laps but Nico was quick. After it dried a bit it was easier for me, although it was very difficult at the end because the front tires were finished.

"My grandfather and uncle were Belgian racing drivers (Turn Four is named after his uncle) so it's very special for me to win here."

Results

Pos Driver Team Car Gap
1. Jules Bianchi ART D/M 45:19.275
2. Nico Hulkenberg ART D/M +4.495
3. Jon Lancaster ART D/M +20.539
4. Mika Maki Mucke D/M +27.030
5. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M +34.170
6. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M +40.536
7. Sam Bird Manor D/M +53.861
8. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M +57.479
9. Rodolfo Gonzalez Carlin D/M +1:03.294
10. Jean-Karl Vernay Signature D/V +1:10.049
11. Erik Janis Mucke D/M +1:14.649
12. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M +1:14.810
13. Henry Arundel Double R D/M +1:18.153
14. Martin Plowman Signature D/V +1:20.051
15. Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V +1:27.377
16. Tom Dillman Jo Zeller D/M +1 lap
17. James Jakes ART D/M +1 lap
18. Christian Vietoris Mucke D/M +1 lap
19. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M +1 lap
20. Kazuya Oshima Manor D/M +1 lap
21. Max Chilton Hitech D/M +2 laps
22. Niall Breen Manor D/M +2 laps
23. John Martin Double R D/M +2 laps
Retirements
Yann Clairay SG D/M 25 laps
Stefano Coletti Prema D/M 24 laps
Nick Tandy JTR M/M 23 laps
Roberto Merhi Hitech D/M 21 laps
Daniel Campos-Hull HBR D/M 19 laps
Richard Philippe Carlin D/M 16 laps
Henkie Waldschmidt SG D/M 15 laps
Dani Clos Prema D/M 6 laps
Koudai Tsukakoshi Manor D/M 1 lap
Renger van der Zande Prema D/M 0 laps
Daniel Ricciardo SG D/M 0 laps
Basil Shaaban HBR D/M 0 laps
Franck Mailleux Signature D/V 0 laps
Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 0 laps

Fastest lap, Chilton 1:31.197 on lap 24