Arjun Maini Creates History; Wins His Maiden GP3 Race

Arjun Maini won his maiden GP3 race held in Barcelona; the Hass F1 team has recently signed the 19-year old Indian racer as their development driver.

Updated: Monday, May 15, 2017, 11:52 [IST]

Arjun Maini, driving for Jenzer Motorsports, created history by becoming the first Indian driver to win a GP3 race when he won the sprint race at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Sunday.

Arjun Maini Wins GP3 Race In Barcelona; First Indian To Win GP3

The 19-year old Bengaluru boy, who was signed by Haas F1 team as their development driver, secured his first win in two years, finishing six seconds clear of Frenchman Dorian Boccolacci and teammate Alessio Lorandi of Italy.

The Indian racer grabbed the lead from poleman Raoul Hyman at the start and was confronted by Boccolacci at the first turn. However, the Boccolacci slid wide going around the outside of the corner and Maini was able to race ahead in first place.

On lap 6, the Frenchman passed Maini into turn one, but Maini fought back to regain the lead into turn 2. Maini was then able to stretch his lead to 1.5 seconds.

From there on, Maini extended his lead before scoring his first GP3 win six seconds clear of Boccolacci and third placed Alessio Lorandi.

With the win in the sprint race of the series opener Maini received 15 points, bringing his tally to 21. Maini is currently third in the drivers' standings behind Lorandi and Nirei Fukuzumi.

"I started under pressure as it was essential for me to get to the front from the beginning," said Maini. He further added, "As I stood on the podium and heard the national anthem, it got pretty emotional,"

At the chequered flag, all the praises was for Maini for bringing home Jenzer's first win since 2012 and easily eclipsed his rivals throughout the race.

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