Koiranen GP’s Matthew Parry wins Race 1 at the Hungaroring
After posting his best qualifying result earlier today with P2; the Briton went one better after leading from start to finish to pocket his first GP3 race win in dominant fashion. Koiranen GP’s Parry made a good start and maintained a comfortable margin back to Trident and Ferrari Driver Academy’s Antonio Fuoco in second. Arden International’s Jake Dennis achieved his maiden GP3 rostrum in third.
ART Grand Prix’s Nyck de Vries had taken his first pole position in serious style this morning, but on the pre-grid the Dutchman was left stranded as the rest of the pack passed him on the formation lap. The rookie therefore had to start the race from the pitlane rueing what might have been.
Parry made a good start to retain the lead with Fuoco close behind in second. Series leader Charles Leclerc from ART Grand Prix made a great start from sixth to move into fourth place but in the heat of battle the Monegasque driver had to run wide, dropping back to his original starting position.
Parry soon pulled a 1.2s advantage over his Italian rival after the opening lap with Dennis, Nirei Fukuzumi, Leclerc and Ralph Boschung completing the top five. Boschung was on the attack and passed Leclerc to move up to P5 on lap two. There was contact further down the field when DAMS rookie Jake Hughes was involved in a lap once incident. The Brit had to pit and re-joined in last position.
Parry was calm at the front of the field as he started to extend his lead over Fuoco to over 2s. Series rivals from ART Grand Prix: Leclerc and Alexander Albon were locked in battle for P6, whilst De Vries began posting fastest laps albeit in P22.
Arden International’s Jack Aitken was all over the rear of Jenzer Motorsport’s Arjun Maini for eighth position, desperately trying to find a way past to take reverse-pole for tomorrow’s race but the Indian debutant managed to withstand the pressure.
At the front, Parry continued to show a controlled but strong pace over Fuoco, with Dennis looking comfortable in third. In the final laps, Boschung was climbing all over the back of Fukuzumi for P4, eager to make another move stick, but in the end the Swiss had to settle for P5
After 22 laps, the chequered flag was waved to an ecstatic Parry who was happy to celebrate his maiden win in the category. It was also the second victory for Finnish outfit Koiranen GP. Fuoco again was happy to take yet another rostrum, marking his consistency, whilst Dennis finally broke the duck off his back after a series of bad luck to enjoy some well-deserved champagne. Fukuzumi, Boschung, Leclerc, Albon, Maini, Aitken and Kevin Joerg rounded out the top ten.
The result has closed the gap in the title battle – now just four points cover the top three with Leclerc leading the way on 94 and Albon and Fuoco in joint second place. ART Grand Prix continues to top the team standings with Trident and Koiranen GP in second and third.
