Abu Dhabi: Dean Stoneman held off a vigorous challenge from Marvin Kirchhofer to take a bold victory for the Koiranen GP team in Saturday’s first of two 14-lap GP3 series races at the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old Briton started second on the grid behind Kirchhofer of the ART Grand Prix team, but took the lead at the start and then resisted persistent pressure from the German on his way to his fifth win this season.
Kirchhofer’s ART teammate Briton Dino Zamparelli finished third ahead of compatriot Emil Bernstorff of Carlin, who hung on to fourth ahead of his teammate Alex Lynn, the series champion.
For Stoneman, it was further confirmation of his remarkable, and inspirational, recovery after a two-year absence from motor-racing due to testicular cancer.
Stoneman switched to the Finnish Koiranen team in October following the demise of the Manor Marussia outfit.
His victory boosted his hopes of finishing second in the series to Lynn, of Carlin, who started fourth and finished fifth in Saturday’s opening sprint race. Lynn secured the title at the previous round at Sochi, in Russia.
The second race takes place on Sunday and will start with a reversed grid.
Meanwhile, the GP2 series first race was due to take place on Saturday evening.
On Friday night, McLaren reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne continued his astonishing run of pole positions by claiming the top spot under lights at Yas Marina Circuit.
He snuffed out his rivals’ best efforts with a stunning lap late in qualifying to take the points ahead of GP2 series champion Jolyon Palmer and DAMS teammate Stéphane Richelmi.
