Highly rated British driver George Russell moved back into the coveted top three in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship standings during the penultimate event of the 2016 season at Imola over the weekend, 1st/2nd October, with two superb podium finishes in rounds 26 and 27 for Hitech GP.

Taking fourth in the first of the event’s three contests at the Italian track, Russell went on to chalk-up his ninth and 10th podiums of the season in the subsequent races to move a full 33 points clear of Nick Cassidy in the battle over third in the standings.

Russell began Saturday morning’s race, round 25, from third on the grid and made a good start to initially try and challenge for second before being edged back to fourth into the first corner. After losing 4th on the safety car restart, Russell however regained the place post-race, elevating him into fourth.

Lining up third on the grid for round 26 on Sunday morning, Russell made a great start to try and challenge for second place and although initially unsuccessful he managed to get ahead by the end of the lap.

Russell’s attempts to edge further clear were thwarted when the Safety Car appeared on lap four.

Following a second Safety Car period on lap 10, Russell was again under pressure. On the restart on lap 12 he was passed by Eriksson - demoting him to third, which is where he finished the race.

Russell started the final race of the weekend from third again. The Hitech GP driver made another good launch to hold third, before sweeping into second at Tamburello, which he comfortably held to the flag.

George Russell “The car felt good all weekend and I’m really happy with the results, two podiums from three races is great and hopefully we can go on to secure third in the championship. Finishing second will be a tall order, but that’s what we’ll be aiming to try and do at Hockenheim. Imola has been a very good weekend for us.”

The final round of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship takes place at Hockenheim in just a fortnights time on the 14-16 October, where Russell will be aiming to cap off his season with more silverware.

Report: Hitech GP

Images: Wafeproject (Davide Pastanella)