Round 5 of the 2019 British F3 championship comprised of three races over the weekend of July 20th 21st at Belgium’s Spa Francorchamp race track.
Spa-Francorchamp is a real favourite of racers and fans alike and is now a favourite of Kiern Jewiss after a weekend of impressive racing. After qualifying in 10th position for race 1 Jewiss made up 5 places to finish in 5th place. As race 2 is always a reverse grid Jewiss began this race in 14 position before making up 6 places to finish in 8th. His best result came in race 3 and from a starting position of 10th. Kiern managed to finish on the podium, in 3rd place. His charge to the podium was impressive, gaining two places on the opening lap, another two on lap three, and then moved past Ericsson on lap four to claim fifth. Setting the fastest lap of the race, he closed down on Maldonado and went up the inside of La Source before storming past Verhagen on the Kemmel Straight moments later to claim third. A great result for Kiern and Douglas Motorsport.
I’ve really enjoyed this weekend, I’ve actually been let free to actually go and race and I can’t wait to get to another track where hopefully we can overtake on and not be ruined by the downforce and losing it. I really enjoyed the racing, it’s a track I wasn’t looking forward to, I thought it would be one of my worst tracks of the year, but it turned out pretty good so I’m really happy.
The start wasn’t great, I was boxed in all the way and I had to keep my nose clean and don’t lose the wing, and then just chip away at the end. The car has been good after qualifying, we found a few bits and bobs that we could improve on, we touched up on those areas and then we were full steam ahead.
Ulysses De Pauw had a great qualifying session, taking 2nd place on the grid in race 1 and 5th on the grid in race 3. The reverse grid in race two saw him start from 12th position and make up 3 places to finish 9th, 1 behind Jewiss and 3 places being Benjamin Pedersen. 3 finishers in the top 9 for Douglas Motorsport. With a good chance to achieve a result in race 3, an unfortunate incident on lap 1 meant De Pauw had to pit to replace a broken wing on a later lap, something Benjamin Pedersen had to do a lap earlier. It was unfortunate as the team had another shot at all 3 finishing in the top 10.
Next up is Brands Hatch GP circuit for the next round, it promises to be an exciting one.
