Qualifying
The 20-minute qualifying session was a dramatic showing for Ugochukwu who sustained contact which required him to pit for damage. Incredibly the team managed to change his damaged radiator and right sidepod, during the red flag period, before sending him out once again. Soon enough the threatened spots of rain started to fall, and the session was drawn to a close slightly prematurely. Sharp finished fourth, Gray fifth and Ugochukwu seventh.
Race 1
As the race got underway Sharp was determined to take the advantage in the early stages and was able to make a move on Aiden Neate to place himself nicely up the order. By the end of the 15-lap race Sharp had brilliant secured second place, his best result of the season to date.
Gray meanwhile took the flag in sixth while Ugochukwu was an unlucky retirement; the American racer sustained front wing damage. Ugochukwu pitted for a wing change and effectively used the next few laps as an extended test session, but retired from the race after ten laps.
Race 2
The partially reversed-grid race on Sunday afternoon led to the Carlin trio running incredibly closely. Ugochukwu lost out slightly off the line and dropped behind teammate Sharp who moved up to second. Gray meanwhile had brilliantly moved his way up the order and began pressuring McLaren junior Ugochukwu for the final slot of the podium. This battle would become the closest, and most intense to watch, in the final stages. Despite getting close the Williams backed driver took fourth as the chequered flag fell with Ugochukwu third and Sharp taking another second-place finish.
Race 3
The final race of the weekend was set by the second fastest times from qualifying. As a result, Sharp started second, Gray sixth and Ugochukwu 1 after his disrupted qualifying session.
As the lights went out Sharp enjoyed a lightning getaway and was able to steal the lead of the race from championship leader Alex Dunne. From there, the Rodin Cars backed racer kept his focus on the road ahead and drove brilliantly over the shortened 11 lap race to impressively claim his first victory of the season.
Gray crossed the line in sixth place, securing his place as second overall in the championship standings, while Ugochukwu gained ground to take the final point in tenth.
Sharp said of victory, “Overall it has been a great weekend. I can’t really be happier with three podiums including a race win. I wasn’t really expecting it, even after a good qualifying on Saturday morning. It means a lot to get this win for me and for us as a team - it gives us a lot of confidence. The car felt good, and I just focused on getting a strong start, making no mistakes and pulling away.”
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