Gunther wins race 2 in Pau

  • Published on 21 May 2017 11:21
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Max Gunther has taken his first win of the season after controlling the pace from the very start and holding off an early challenge from Lando Norris. Gunther started the race from second place but jumped Norris heading into turn one at the start.

The two battled hard and rubbed wheels a couple of times, meaning both had to keep cool heads around the narrow, twisting streets of Pau. They were nose to tail for the first number of laps with less than half a second separating the two.

There were battles happening up and down the field and it wasn't long before it came to blows. Motopark teammate's Marino Sato and Keyvan Andres made contact, causing Sato to spin, however the two were able to keep running and a safety car was not required.

The gap out in front began to expand slightly and it appeared that Norris didn't have an answer for Gunther's pace. Behind, Callum Ilott started to close in on the McLaren junior driver, putting the 17-year-old under pressure to pick up his pace.

Jake Dennis had an uncharacteristic race, never seeming to find strong pace. He made a mistake and was passed by Jehan Daruvala. There was a feisty battle occurring behind them, as David Beckmann attempted to hold back Guanyu Zhou

Lap 16 saw Marino Sato in the pits, while one lap later Guanyu Zhou also peeled in with damage, leading both men to retire from the race. The gap at the front looked stabilised, with Gunther still out in front leading.

Just then, championship leader Joel Eriksson made a mistake and sent himself into the barriers, retiring from fourth position. The mistake would have a costly effect on his championship stance if Norris was able to hold on to where he currently sat.

A safety car was set to come out, however, the car was cleared very quickly and none was required, much to the relief of Max Gunther who was sitting comfortably at the front. Joey Mawson was unfortunate to sustain suspension damage on the final lap and failed to make the chequered flag.

That left Max Gunther to cross the line, taking his first win of the season and becoming the fourth different race winner in Formula 3 in 2017. Norris came home in second, meaning he now takes over the lead of the championship. He heads Eriksson by eight points. Also climbing onto the podium was Calum Ilott, who will be happy after retiring from yesterday's race on the first lap. 

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 07:25

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 07:25

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country SE
  • Date of b. Mar 14 1991 (33)
  • Place of b. Tomelilla, SE
  • Weight 77 kg
  • Length 1.89 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar