Double GB3 podium for Hitech in Hungary
Round 4 - Hungaroring - Report
Hitech TGR secured a double podium at the Hungaroring, with Keanu Al Azhari achieving a second and third place in the GB3 Championship. On the series’ second-ever visit to Hungary, the 17-year-old started the weekend in superb form, taking his first-ever pole position with the fastest time in qualifying.
The Emirati recorded a lap of 1m37.460s, which smashed the previous pole position record by 2.169s in the previous-generation GB3 car. In the second qualifying session, Keanu just missed out on a double pole by a slender margin — he was only 0.024s in arrears for Race 2, but it was still good enough for the front row of the grid. His Hitech team-mate Deagen Fairclough was also at the sharp end, qualifying in fifth place for both races.
With temperatures rising for Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, Keanu bogged down off the start line and unfortunately lost three places before Turn 1. But the bright, pink-liveried BWT Alpine Academy driver was soon fighting his way back to the front.
After a brief Safety Car, Keanu made an excellent restart and took third place under braking at Turn 1. At mid-distance, he came close to challenging for second, but ultimately, after an exciting battle, took third at the flag — three places ahead of Deagen.
Keanu Al Azhari:
“I'm not too happy with my start and I lost this race from then on. It was a good recovery to make up a position on the restart and I think everyone could see that my pace was really strong.”
The 17-year-old continued:
“In the infield, I was massively quicker than anyone around me, but it was just a little bit hard to overtake here. To be honest, although I’m a bit disappointed in myself, I’m very happy for the Hitech team as we’ve shown the pace is there.”
Starting on the front row for the second race of the weekend, Keanu made a better start than the day before and looked to take the lead around the outside of the first corner. For the majority of the race, Keanu maintained his position less than a second behind the leader, within DRS range, but he was unable to find a way past. Ultimately, though, he wasn’t able to challenge for the win and took the runners-up spot on the podium.
Speaking after Race 2, Keanu added:
“I think this is a circuit where you need clean air on your front wing, otherwise you lose quite a bit of downforce efficiency. My start was pretty decent, much better than yesterday, and I gave it a shot for P1, but it didn't really work out. But I had a decent battle and I'm happy to take second.”
Behind him, Deagen made a move for P4 at Turn 1 after a brief Safety Car intervention early on. But despite running most of the 15-lap race in fourth, he couldn’t quite hold his position and lost another place on the final lap to cross the line in sixth.
Deagen Fairclough:
“It's been extremely hot here and a bit tricky for me. At the start for Race 2, I was in the wrong place. I tried to go around the outside of Turn 2, but was driven deep and then I lost out on the final lap too, still it’s been an enjoyable battle on track.”
In Race 3, the reverse grid race, Deagen started P8, while Keanu was 11th. After a good start for Deagan, there was contact further around the lap which promoted the British driver to sixth. On the next lap he made a great move into Turn 1 to secure fifth — a place he kept until the flag.
Meanwhile, Keanu also made a strong start and was running seventh on the opening tour. For lap after lap he brilliantly defended his position to round off a strong haul of points for the team, who amassed a total of 114 points from the weekend.