Jon underlined his race-winning potential following a superb performance in round eight of the Formula 3 Euroseries at the Norisring yesterday (Sunday).
The Leeds resident 19 year-old started from fourth on the grid, but by lap seven was up into second place and showing every sign that he had the pace to challenge for victory. Rather unfortunately a very ambitious move by championship leader Edoardo Mortara at the Grundig hairpin, (who came from several lengths further back from Jon, but not surprisingly failed to slow down for the corner), resulted in the Multiflight-backed driver being forced from the race with a broken left front wheel.
Despite this upset from what had been Jon's strongest position of the year, he was nevertheless very happy with his performance, which saw him comfortably lapping among the quickest of the 29 runners.
With the reverse grid in place and starting fourth following Saturday’s fifth place finish, Jon had made a good start and was up into third place, before a collision with Mortara on the opening lap brought out the red flag. Jon was able to continue, but with the track blocked preventing the majority of he following cars through the corner, there was a 22 minute delay before the race was restarted.
The race then got underway behind the safety car for the opening lap, but was reduced to half distance with half points being awarded. When the safety car came in, another fantastic getaway enabled Jon to get back up to the battle for second place between Robert Wickens and pole-sitter Erik Janis. On lap six, the BRDC Superstar made the move on Janis, before then going past Wickens for second place at the final corner.
As the cars entered the Grundig hairpin, Wickens made an over-ambitious move to retake the place, but he outbraked himself, running wide onto the dirty part of the track before going straight on. Mortara following closely behind also tried a desperate move to complete a passing move, which ended up with Mortara running straight into the side of Jon's ART Grand Prix Dallara, forcing Jon into instant retirement.
'Obviously it’s disappointing not to finish as we definitely had the pace to win here today,” Jon explained after the race. “I got a really good restart and managed to pass Janis and then Wickens. The next lap, he tried to retake the place and outbraked himself and ran straight on. The next minute Mortara suddenly appeared and ran straight into the side of the car, riding up over the front wheel and damaging the left front suspension.
“I was easily capable of winning this race today as I was one of the quickest guys out there. So we have to take something positive from the day. The team did a great job this weekend; the car was fantastic so I’d like to send apologies to them for not being able to give them the result they deserved this afternoon.”
In his mind Jon knew he had the pace, only now he has definitely been able to prove it. The remaining races are going to be worth waiting for.
