Williamson fifth in GP3 at Hungaroringposted in MSPOR29 | 07 | 2012
SCOT LEWIS WILLIAMSON finished fifth in the latest round of the GP3 Championship at the Hungaroring, just hours before the F1 Hungary Grand Prix (see more official photos of Lewis Williamson in GP3 action at the Hungaroring).
The 22-year-old from Golspie, who finished 10th in the opening race of the weekend, capitalised on a brave tyre call as the wet track began to dry.
The Scot, in only his fourth GP3 race of the season with Status GP, was in 10th place when he pitted after seven of the 16 laps on the 2.7-mile circuit near Budapest.
After switching from wet-weather tyres to slicks he rejoined in 18th, more than a minute behind the race leaders.
But such was Williamson's pace that on three occasions he set the fastest lap of the race.
After taking the chequered flag sixth, he was promoted to fifth when Tamas Pal Kiss, who initially finished third, was handed a 20s penalty by the stewards dropping him outside the top eight.
“I got a really good start but got boxed out on the first lap," Williamson, who started from 10th on the grid and is backed by the Highland Arena private consortium, said.
"After that I felt I was struggling a bit on the wet tyres. Once I made the switch it took a few laps to get some temperature, and then it was all about closing down the cars in front.
"Our pace was good, and clocking the series of fastest laps showed exactly what the car is capable of," Williamson, who finished just 0.518secs behind the car in front of him, continued.
"It was quite exciting and even the guys on wets were fighting for position, so although I was catching them like they were backmarkers, I had to be very careful.
"I’m pleased with the race and we take a lot of positives from the weekend. The biggest thing for me is that I’m getting the feel back of the GP3 car after being away from the series for so long.”
Portugal's Antonio Felix Da Costa won both races at the Hungaroring to become the first driver in GP3 history to claim wins in the weekend's double-header.
Scot Lewis Williamson retains GP3 seat with Status GP
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Jim McGill