Kirchhöfer victorious in Barcelona race 2

2015 GP3 Series Round 1. Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Sunday 10 May 2015.
Marvin Kirchhofer (GER, ART Grand Prix) celebrates his win in Parc Ferme
Photo: Sam Bloxham/GP3 Series Media Service.
ref: Digital Image _G7C3504

ART Grand Prix’s Marvin Kirchhöfer converts great start into win in Spain

A lightning getaway was pivotal for Marvin Kirchhöfer today. The German ace shot away from fourth on the grid into P2 and was ready to pounce when pole-sitter Antonio Fuoco (Carlin and Ferrari Academy driver) ran wide after just a few corners. The ART Grand Prix winner seized his opportunity and drove home to his second GP3 career win. Koiranen GP’s Jimmy Eriksson was second, with Carlin’s Jann Mardenborough stealing third on the final lap.

Race 2 of the 2015 GP3 Series season took place under clear skies with the 24 drivers ready for battle in the thirty minute race. It was an all Italian front row with rookie Fuoco in prime position and Kevin Ceccon (Arden International) in second. When the lights went out, Fuoco was sluggish away. Kirchhöfer however jumped straight into second and was on the rear of Fuoco. The Carlin driver ran wide a few corners later and Kirchhöfer moved into the lead and began building an advantage.

On lap two, Eriksson made a blinding overtake on Fuoco to head into second place, with the German already two seconds off in the distance. Ceccon also had a poor start and dropped down to P5 with his teammate Emil Bernstorff in front of him early on in the 17 lap race.

As Kirchhöfer bridged the gap back to Eriksson and Fuoco to almost five seconds, Ceccon had his mirrors full of Mardenborough with a tasty dice developing. On lap 13, the Brit found his way through on the Italian at Turn one and then began to reel in Bernstorff.

The final two laps were captivating with a three way fight between Fuoco, Bernstorff and Mardenborough for the final rostrum place. The Italian moved Bernstorff wide, with the pair both losing momentum; Mardenborough was ready to attack and took advantage of the squabble, sneaking into third place with just a few corners remaining.

It was all smiles for Kirchhöfer; crossing the line almost seven seconds clear of Eriksson. Mardenborough, Fuoco and Bernstorff completed the top five, with Ceccon just resisting yesterday’s race winner Esteban Ocon and Trident’s Luca Ghiotto for P6.

ART Grand Prix’s race winners Ocon and Kirchhöfer lead the Drivers’ Standings on 29 and 27 points respectively. Ghiotto, Mardenborough, Bernstorff and Eriksson have 23, 22, 21 and 20 points apiece.

The French squad are on top in the Teams’ Standings with 27 points, with Carlin and Arden International on 34 and 31.

Round 2 will take place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg on 19-21 June.