Masson claims Eurocup-3 crown with controlled drive to victory in finale

Photo: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Campos Racing’s Esteban Masson became the first ever Eurocup-3 champion with victory in the final race of the season at Barcelona.

Masson had the cleanest and fastest start from pole and quickly created a gap while some drivers took to the grass down the pit straight as they jostled for position. Drivex School’s Nick Gilkes used the inside line to get ahead of MP Motorsport’s Jose Garfias at turn one, but he then had a huge lock-up at turn four that dropped him behind Garfias and Masson’s sole title rival Mari Boya.

There was a gap of 1.5 seconds between Masson and his chasing team-mate Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak after two sectors when the safety car was called due to Suleiman Zanfari and Miron Pingasov crashing out at turn two and Emmo Fittipaldi coming to a stop on track two corners later.

Racing resumed on lap five and Masson once again sprinted away from the field. He was 1.9s clear when the safety car appeared again on lap eight due to Carl Bennett crashing out at turn three on the previous lap.

The next restart was on lap 13 of 16 and it was a repeat job for Masson as he instantly made a gap then gradually added to it – setting the fastest lap on the way – in the remaining laps.

Gaps also quickly opened up between the drivers behind, with Garfias and his team-mate Boya isolated in third and fourth. Boya had to beat Masson to deny him the title, and instead Masson grew his end-of-year lead to 30 points with victory.

Bruno del Pino passed Gilkes under braking for turn one on the restart lap, and a lap later Gilkes had to take the escape road at turn two after running wide through turn one and it cost him further places. He ended up finishing eighth.

Race results (16 laps)