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Wilson clings to series lead as Webber wins

Mark Webber staked his claim for the FIA Formula 3000 crown by taking victory in the seventh round of the series at Magny-Cours in France today (Saturday), but a last lap manoeuvre by Justin Wilson ensured he regained the title lead

Webber took victory after zooming around the outside of pole sitter Tomas Enge (Nordic) at the opening corner. Enge had appeared to make a smart enough getaway to lead, but the Czech seemed too keen to swerve across the track to block Webber and missed his shift from first to second, forcing the Aussie switched to the outside and slingshot past him.

"I wasn't to happy with my initial getaway, but I hooked second gear pretty well and that was Christmas!" smiled Webber. "It was pretty straightforward after that."

Once in front, Webber sprinted away, leaving Enge to fend off his team mate Wilson. Enge said afterwards that he was in tyre trouble from the start: "My rears went away quite quickly," he said.

Wilson, who led the title chase at the start of the day, had got ahead of Patrick Friesacher's Red Bull car at the start and was a constant thorn in Enge's side. Over the final laps, Wilson pushed hard and forced Enge into a big mistake under braking for Adelaide hairpin on the final lap. The Czech driver slid wide, allowing the Rotherham youngster to sneak down his inside and grab the runner-up spot.

Wilson explained: "I got a good exit out of the last corner, where I'd previously been struggling, but he pulled away on the straight. I knew I had to get my braking perfect for the hairpin, and he locked a wheel and slid wide."

If Wilson hadn't made the move, Webber would have taken the series lead - that's how close it is at the top. With three rounds to go, Webber is now one point behind Wilson, with Enge five points shy of his leading team mate.

"I've just gotta keep doing what I'm doing," said Webber. "I need some of the rookies to get in between us and stop Nordic scoring."

They finished well clear of a racelong battle between Friesacher, Darren Manning (Arden) and Sebastien Bourdais. Manning made a fantastic start from eighth on the grid to grab fifth on the opening lap, while Bourdais had to wait for a mistake from Mario Haberfeld (Super Nova) on lap six at Lycee to take sixth, from where he hassled Manning to the end.

For full race results click here.

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