Starting from pole at Silverstone, Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP) beat his team mate and leader in the general classificiaion, Will Palmer (R-ace GP). Third place went to the rookie in the Red Bull Junior Team Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport), who scores the first podium for his team in the category.

Second pole for Shwartzman

On a drying track surface, the second group was, once again, faster. Robert Shwartzman clocked a lap of 2:02.124 on slicks versus a 2:13.181 on rain tyres for his team mate Max Defourny (R-ace GP).

The Belgian was sanctioned four places for un-sportsman like behaviour during qualifying. On the grid, the SMP Racing protégé started ahead of rookie Daniel Ticktum, Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing), Will Palmer, Ghislain Cordeel (Arden Motorsport) and Max Defourny.

The Russian keeps his cool

At the start, Daniel Ticktum moved into the lead before Robert Shwartzman answered back. Will Palmer and Sacha Fenestraz made the most of the duel to slot in between the two. The off from Sacha Fenestraz allowed Max Defourny to take fourth place before the safety car was called into service on lap three due to the retirement of Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés).

At the re-start, Will Palmer pressured Robert Shwartzman without finding a way past. On lap nine, Max Defourny spun leaving Max Fewtrell (Tech 1 Racing) to attack Daniel Ticktum

Robert Shwartzman maintained his lead just until the chequered flag to win ahead of Will Palmer. Dan Ticktum finished third to become the first rookie to step on to the podium this year, ahead of Max Fewtrell, Raúl Guzmán (R-ace GP) and Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport). In crossing the line ahead of countryman Thomas Maxwell (Tech 1 Racing) for seventh place, Luis Leeds (Josef Kaufmann Racing) scored his first points of the season, as did Alexey Korneev (Fortec Motorsports) and Presley Martono (Mark Burdett Motorsport).

Quotes

Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP): “My clutch slipped at the start and Daniel got by me. I could stay on the outside, but he was much faster and I had to go through Maggots and Becketts alongside Sacha and Will. I was able to hold my position to catch up to Daniel, but my move didn’t work out. When he made a small mistake under braking, I was able to cross his path to brake as late as possible at the next corner. I want to compliment him because he was very fair play in this great battle! Will was very quick and the intervention of the safety car reduced the gap. He pushed hard at the re-start, but I was able to close the door on him. I want to thank the team for the wonderful job they’ve done!”

Will Palmer (R-ace GP): “I got a good start to overtake Sacha in Copse, but we were three abreast into Maggots. I chose to back off to get a better exit and take advantage of Sacha’s mistake in the chicane, but I wasn’t able to surprise Robert in the last sector or the re-start. The team has made an excellent start to the season that has to absolutely continue on and I am confident heading to Pau.”

Dan Ticktum (Arden Motorsport): “This is a good result for a driver in his first year in a championship that his team is also new to. We did a good job in qualifying. We’ve made progress with the car and I like the changing conditions we had this morning. I got a good start to be in the lead at Copse, but Robert was able to use the draft and it was hard to know where he was. I looked to the inside too much and he seized the opportunity on the outside. After the safety car period, the leaders pulled away and I had to keep Max behind me. Now, I look forward to the next two weeks because I know what I can do on a street circuit.”

* Results subject to confirmation following technical and sporting verifications

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