Australian Joey Mawson secured his first podium in the GP3 Series during Round Two at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France on Sunday.
After qualifying tenth fastest on Friday, Mawson showed his true grit throughout the opening 20-lap encounter. Despite being under intense pressure for the majority of the race, the PODIUM-backed driver held his nerve to cross the line in ninth placing and secure his first Series points.
With two of his competitors later excluded for technical infringements, Mawson was elevated to seventh in the standings.
Given that the grid for Race Two is a reverse of the top eight finishing positions from the opening race, Mawson lined up on the outside of the front row for Sunday’s 15-lap encounter.
Following a hectic opening few turns, Mawson slotted his Arden Motorsport Dallara into third place before challenging Pedro Piquet for the runner-up placing. Unable to make the pass for second, Mawson settled into third place and focused on maintaining his position while edging away from fourth-placed Alessio Lorandi.
As the race continued, Mawson cemented his place on the podium and finished one-second clear of Lorandi. Callum Illot claimed the victory – his first in the Series – ahead of Piquet and Mawson.
“I’m stoked with the results across the weekend. After getting to start the second race on the front row our aim was to finish on the podium and we achieved that goal,” said Mawson.
“We moved forward all weekend with our pace, which puts us in a good position moving onto the next race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria next weekend.
“To get the first Series points of this year for the team on Saturday and then finishing the weekend on the podium on Sunday was a fantastic reward and good motivation for everyone here at Arden Motorsport.”
The Australian dedicated his podium to long-time supporter, and PODIUM co-founder, Tom Warwick who suddenly passed away last month.
“While standing on the podium, all I could think of was how proud Tom (Warwick) would be right now. He and Geoff Morgan have been so influential in getting me to where I am today while leading the way for everyone involved in PODIUM,” said Mawson.
“This one’s for you Tom! Here’s to many more throughout the year.”
Mawson’s points haul from the weekend’s two races moved him to ninth place in the standings.
The next race on the schedule is this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.