Abu Dhabi: Alex Lynn kick-started what could be a weekend of British motor-racing success on Friday when he became GP3 champion at Yas Marina Circuit.
Fellow Briton Jolyon Palmer had already wrapped up the GP2 title ahead of this year’s final race in Abu Dhabi, and their compatriot Lewis Hamilton is bidding to claim the Formula One world crown on Sunday.
Lynn was fourth fastest in qualifying for Saturday’s first GP3 series race and with points awarded for fastest lap and pole position, he has now taken an unassailable lead in the championship, with 185 points to second-place Dean Stoneman’s 138.
The 21-year-old is reportedly poised to partner Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso in Formula One next season, which would emulate the achievement of 2013 GP3 champion Daniil Kvyat.
“It’s so great to take the championship. I’m really grateful to everyone within the team, they’ve worked so hard for this all year and it’s fantastic to give them this reward — and also awesome for me too,” Lynn said.
“We started the season on a high and we left no stone unturned throughout, so I’m massively proud of this achievement.
“It’s been a tireless effort from everyone; late nights, long days back at the workshop and pushing hard every weekend. Now we switch the focus to bringing home the teams’ title because Carlin deserves that after the season we’ve had.”
Fellow Briton Stoneman had to take pole to keep alive his title challenge, but he had no answer to the scorching pace of Marvin Kirchhofer of the Art Grand Prix team.
The German driver lapped the Yas Marina Circuit in one minute and 55.163 seconds to outpace Stoneman of Koiranen GP by 0.471 seconds.
The GP3 series first race takes place between 12.05pm and 12.40pm tomorrow, with the second one being held between 1pm and 1.35pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, McLaren test driver Stoffel Vandoorne set the pace in the first GP2 practice session ahead of Stéphane Richelmi and Arthur Pic on Friday morning.
The Belgian set the best time of 1:50.437 two thirds of the way through the session, edging past Richelmi by less than a 10th of a second.
Series champion Palmer was fourth ahead of Friday night’s qualifying session.
