New territory for the GP3 Series and new terrain for Daniel Abt: for the first time ever the GP3 Series started on the supporting programme for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. The highlight of the season on the difficult street circuit ended with two points scoring finishes for the 19-year old youngster from Kempten: following his sixth place in the first race he celebrated his first podium result after finishing third in the second race.
“It was a fantastic event,” explained Daniel Abt enthusiastically. “The street circuit on the Mediterranean Sea is unique. There is a fabulous atmosphere – everywhere you look there are rich people, fancy cars and beautiful women – and our paddock right in the middle.” However, the trip to the Mediterranean Sea meant hard work for Daniel Abt. “I wasn’t happy with my seventh place in qualifying,” he summarised. “I made a great start in the first race and was able to make up a place immediately after. However, it was very difficult to overtake on the tight street circuit. The cars just run nose to tail, better than sixth wasn’t possible.” Nevertheless, Abt collected eight important points for the championship.
The second race went even better for the Allgäu resident. “I started from the second row, was able to maintain my position and had almost overtaken the second placed car.” The newcomer managed to hold his nerve and maintain his third place to the chequered flag in a turbulent race with two safety car phases and a race stopping accident involving Abt’s Lotus GP team mate Conor Daly.
“The first podium finish in GP3 and loads of points,” rejoiced the German, who now travels to Valencia in the middle of June seventh in the standings. “Hopefully the first victory is not far away. I’m also very pleased that our starts are very good.” However, Abt knows what he would like to work on in the future: “Because overtaking in the races is usually difficult I want to be stronger in qualifying.”
