Cassidy lies third in European Formula 3 Championship

Nick Cassidy has climbed to a standalone third place in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship after racing at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit over the weekend.

Fresh from finishing runner-up in the Suzuka 1000 kms, the marquee event of Japan’s SUPER GT series, in a Lexus RC F, the Aucklander started the weekend tied for third in the series with British driver George Russell.

A fourth and fifth place in two of the three races has taken Cassidy to a one point advantage over Russell. The Nurburgring round is regarded as pivotal to the 2016 title battle.

Cassidy’s efforts were frustrated by events beyond his control. He qualified second fastest for the first race and held that position until four laps from the end when an electronic malfunction saw him drift back to fourth.

For race two Cassidy started fifth on the grid but was involved in an early incident with several other cars which sent him into retirement.

His Prema team was able to rebuild the car overnight for him to start fourth for the final race, where he finished fifth.

Series leader and team-mate Lance Stroll, the 2015 Toyota Racing Series champion, won two of the three races and Cassidy’s other team-mate, Maximilian Gunther, won the other.

Cassidy’s European campaign has two rounds and six races remaining. His next outing is at Imola in Italy in three weeks time, while he will be back at the wheel of the Lexus RC F in Thailand on October 9.

FIA European Formula 3 Championship points:

1, Lance Stroll (Canada) 364;
2, M Gunther (Germany) 296;
3, N Cassidy (New Zealand) 216;
4, George Russell (Great Britain) 215;
5, Callum Illot (Great Britain) 211.