Karjalainen had raced for the team in Indonesia
last year and demonstrated great promise in the team's 301 car and when
installed in a Team Goddard Dallara 304 TOM'S he was immediately
setting the pace and was comfortably on pole position for race one. He
went on to take a lights to flag finish from McLaren Autosport BRDC
Award winner Oliver Turvey with Walter Grubmuller in third, the Finn
never having to push to the limit and driving well within himself.
Race two was the same story whilst race three run in damp
conditions spoilt the almost perfect weekend. A poor start dropped
Karjalainen to second but he was soon back in the lead with a great
pass on Dillon Battistini at turn 4. Oliver Turvey got a run on the
exit of the same corner a couple of laps later and drew alongside
Karjalainen at the flat out 200 kph turn 6. The resultant attempted
pass saw Karjalainen out on the spot whilst Turvey survived to take the
flag first. However the stewards took a dim view of the over aggressive
driving and docked Turvey 30 seconds for causing an avoidable accident.
Karjalainen and Turvey are equal on points in the driver'schampionship. "The team gave me a perfect car and we almost had a
perfect weekend" reported Karjalainen. "Henri barely out a foot wrong
all weekend and he demonstrated he is a real talent and can follow in
the footsteps of Hakkinen and Raikkonen. The fact that he beat Oliver
Turvey in a straight fight reflects the speed he possesses and also how
competitive Asian F3 is now" stated Team Boss, Mark Goddard.
Paul Ip, also in a Dallara 304 TOM'S, enjoyed his first F3 race and
improved throughout the event to finish in fifth in the final race.
"Paul's driving developed throughout the event and we were all very
happy with his performance" said Goddard.
Renowned driver coach, Malcolm Smith, was on hand to help Paul Ip
and his advice to both Paul and Henri certainly helped with their
performances.
www.teamgoddard.com www.eurasiamotorsport.com
