Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Thruxton British F3: Matt Rao wins fight with Martin Cao

Matt Rao took honours in the final British Formula 3 Championship race of the weekend at Thruxton to reclaim the championship lead from Martin Cao

Once again, Cao made the best start of the two Fortec Motorsport team-mates, but Rao swept ahead with a brave outside move at the chicane at the end of the first lap.

Cao retook the lead on the second lap and initially seemed to get away, but Rao cut the gap and on the ninth lap of 26 he moved back in front at the chicane.

After that flurry of excitement, Rao was able to show his speed - drawing away to break the tow to Cao and win by 6.5 seconds.

"I got a bad start again, but I drove a smarter race this time," said Rao. "I didn't try to pass in stupid places, and once I got in front I was able to break the tow.

"At that point I think his tyres were starting to go off - I'm a bit nicer to mine."

Camren Kaminsky made a good start to vault from fifth to third, and from then on headed home temporary Double R Racing team-mate Max Marshall.

Carlin driver Peter Li lost half a minute to the field with a moment on the opening lap, and trailed home a distant fifth.

Results - 26 laps:

Pos  Driver           Team/Car                 Time/Gap
 1.  Matt Rao         Fortec Dallara-Merc    30m13.842s
 2.  Martin Cao       Fortec Dallara-Merc       +6.579s
 3.  Camren Kaminsky  Double R Dallara-Merc    +14.288s
 4.  Max Marshall     Double R Dallara-Merc    +18.757s
 5.  Peter Li         Carlin Dallara-VW      +1m03.023s

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Nurburgring European F3: Auer wins as Verstappen gains title ground
Next article Buller, Lynn, Tincknell and Stoneman had Thruxton British F3 offers

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe