Australian Joey Mawson has maintained his place at the top of the standings in the 2017 MRF Challenge following an impressive performance in Delhi, India across the weekend.

The PODIUM-backed driver secured three podium finishes across the four races contested at the Buddh International Circuit to make it 10 podium results from the 12 races contested so far in the Championship.

After qualifying third fastest, Mawson crossed the line fourth in the opening 12-lap encounter before claiming a dominant victory by eight seconds in race two.

Race three saw Mawson endure an intense battle with Harrison Newey for the majority of the race before finishing in second place behind Mick Schumacher.

Starting from position four in the final race, Mawson made an impressive start to slot into third place while being heavily pressured by Schumacher. The duo raced wheel-to-wheel before Schumacher attempted a pass and made contact with Mawson forcing him wide and dropping him down the order to eighth.

The 20 year-old Sydney-sider then fought back up the order and benefited when Schumacher and Felipe Drugovich collided with four laps remaining. With the final stage of the race held under safety car conditions Mawson crossed the line in third place.

“It has been another good weekend, three podiums and extending the lead in the championship is very pleasing,” said Mawson.

“I had good speed all weekend and it was great to be able to show that with a fantastic win in race two. “The final race was a real battle. I got a good start but then dropped back after contact with Mick, then to be able to claw my way back and be on the podium is great.”

Entering next month’s final event on the schedule in Chennai (February 17-19), Mawson has a 27-point buffer at the top of the standings with a total of 211 points. Newey is second on 184 with Schumacher third on 171.