Nigel Melker and Alexander Sims won the opening rounds of the 2011 GP3 championship presented in Istanbul.
Rookie driver Tom Dillmann set the pole position ahead of the main favorites, but the Frenchman had a poor start, which allowed Andrea Caldarelli and Nigel Melker to move up in front.
Melker took the lead at the end of lap 1, and cruised to victory in the first round of the weekend ahead of Caldarelli and Dillmann.
The reversed grid regulation for top eight drivers in race 1 put Alexander Sims on pole position for race 2.
The Brit maintained his advantage from start to finish, to win the second round in Istanbul ahead of Michael Christensen and Nigel Melker, winner on Saturday, and first championship leader.
Istanbul – Race 1:
1 - Nigel Melker – Mucke – 15 laps in 28’13”773
2 - Andrea Caldarelli – Tech 1 – 0”605
3 - Tom Dillmann – Carlin – 2”942
4 - Valtteri Bottas – Lotus ART – 3”840
5 - Antonio Felix Da Costa – Status GP – 4”410
Etc.
Istanbul – Race 2:
1 - Alexander Sims – Status GP – 15 laps in 27’03”624
2 - Michael Christensen – Mucke – 7”406
3 - Nigel Melker – Mucke – 13”983
4 - Antonio Felix Da Costa – Status GP – 17”667
5 - Andrea Caldarelli – Tech 1 – 17”876
Etc.
Rookie driver Tom Dillmann set the pole position ahead of the main favorites, but the Frenchman had a poor start, which allowed Andrea Caldarelli and Nigel Melker to move up in front.
Melker took the lead at the end of lap 1, and cruised to victory in the first round of the weekend ahead of Caldarelli and Dillmann.
The reversed grid regulation for top eight drivers in race 1 put Alexander Sims on pole position for race 2.
The Brit maintained his advantage from start to finish, to win the second round in Istanbul ahead of Michael Christensen and Nigel Melker, winner on Saturday, and first championship leader.
Istanbul – Race 1:
1 - Nigel Melker – Mucke – 15 laps in 28’13”773
2 - Andrea Caldarelli – Tech 1 – 0”605
3 - Tom Dillmann – Carlin – 2”942
4 - Valtteri Bottas – Lotus ART – 3”840
5 - Antonio Felix Da Costa – Status GP – 4”410
Etc.
Istanbul – Race 2:
1 - Alexander Sims – Status GP – 15 laps in 27’03”624
2 - Michael Christensen – Mucke – 7”406
3 - Nigel Melker – Mucke – 13”983
4 - Antonio Felix Da Costa – Status GP – 17”667
5 - Andrea Caldarelli – Tech 1 – 17”876
Etc.