EDGE driver Callum Voisin came into Round 2 of The FIA Formula 3 weekend in high spirits after a productive 3 day test at the Sakhir International circuit only a fews weeks prior.
After a testing opening round for Voisin in Melbourne, firm sights were set on vital championship points as the target. Qualifying got underway and Voisin was instantly on the pace. After the first set of Pirelli new tyres, Voisin went P1, and set the pace for the entire 30 car strong grid. With only 6 minutes on the clock left, the entire field went out to try to improve once again on a second set of new tyres. Voisin did improve, but it wasn’t quite good enough for pole and Voisin would line up P2, just 0.15 seconds off pole position.
Race 1 would see the top 12 reversed in the sprint race. Callum lined up P11. The lights went out and Callum made a strong getaway and made up several positions on the opening lap, he would cross the line after lap 1 in P8. The race would be all about tyre management as the degradation at Bahrain is very high. Callum settled into a nice rhythm and slowly began to pick off places as the race progressed. On the final lap Callum made a beautiful overtake on McLaren Junior driver Martinuis Stenshorne to cross the line P4 – a fantastic drive through the field.
Race 2 would see the main feature race where Callum would start on the front row. The lights went out and Callum made a fantastic start to get the lead into Turn 1 over Camara. Callum held the lead for opening 3 laps but once the DRS was activated, Camara was able to make the move demoting Callum to P2. Callum quickly took the place back using the switch back but on Lap 5 Camara re took the lead. The race settled down and Callum would cross the line in P2 securing vital Championship points promoting him to P3 overall.
Voisin said, ‘I think it was a strong race from us. I got a good start and the lead into Turn 1. Led for a few laps but Rafa was extremely fast behind me. It was always going to be tricky to keep him behind. I think we did a fairly good job to start but quickly he got passed me and I tried to stay in the DRS for as long as possible. I had in mind that I didn’t want to chew up my tyres too much. It was a long race of management for me, making sure I didn’t go over the cliff of the tyres. I think we managed it quite nicely. P2 is never exactly where you want to be, I want to win but I think compared to Australia it is a great step forward. I think we can be proud of this race and carry this momentum forward for the rest of the season.”