CHRISTODOULOU SIGNS OFF MAIDEN FORMULA 3 SEASON IN STYLE
20th Sep 2009
- Riki achieves best combined qualifying and race results of the season
- “Christo” nets creditable fifth place – second-highest British driver – in final championship standings
Riki Christodoulou brought the curtain down in style on his maiden Formula Three season by achieving his best combined qualifying and race results in the final rounds at Brands Hatch last weekend (19-20 Sep).
Having qualified third for both 22-lap (50.62 mile) races around the demanding 2.301 miles “Grand Prix” circuit in Kent, the 21-year-old Sutton Coldfield youngster went on to net third and second places in the final two races – results that earned “Christo” fifth place in the final Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series standings.
In the opening race, “Christo” finished 16.135secs behind championship winner and race winner Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) but just 0.604secs behind second-placed Max Chilton after pressuring him throughout the race. Riki was a mere 0.967secs behind Chilton at the chequered flag in race two to earn the West Midlander’s best race result since scoring his maiden F3 victory in July.
“Race one was pretty processional,” reflected Riki. “I was in Max’s mirrors throughout and although I’m sure I had the faster car, I just couldn’t find a way past him. I made a good start in race two and after an early Safety Car period, my car was well balanced and settled – unlike in the opening laps when I slid wide onto the grass on one occasion.
“I was within a second of Max throughout the race after the Safety Car but it’s so, so difficult to get close enough to have a lunge due to the ‘disturbed’ airflow from the aerodynamics off the car in front.
“I’m highly delighted for myself and the team but on reflection also a little disappointed that this couldn’t have come together a little earlier in the season which could have given me a top-three championship position.
“But this weekend was all about finishing my racing year off in style and I’ve produced a good solid performance, in the top-three throughout in these final races, which bodes well for the future. I sincerely thank the team, Fortec Motorsport, my sponsors Alpinestars and British Car Registrations, plus my father, for all their support during the season.”
Brands Hatch nr Fawkham, Kent, Rds 19 & 20:
Race 1: Qualifying Pos: 3rd (1m 17.745s) Dry/cloudy. Race Result: 3rd (Dry/bright).
Race 2: Qualifying Pos: 3rd (1:17.852) Dry/bright. Race Result: 2nd (Dry/cloudy).
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series*: 1 Ricciardo (AUS) 275 points; 2 Grubmuller (A) 188; 3 van der Zande (NL) 178; 3; 4 Chilton (GB) 171; 5 Christodoulou (GB) 130; 6 Buzaid (BRA) 109. (Final provisional standings).
About Riki Christo
Riki Christodoulou has been racing as long as he can remember. Through karts, Formula Renault and now in the British Formula 3 International series. Riki continues to compete in top flight motorsport as one of the UK’s most promising young racing car drivers.
