Raoul Hyman delivered a top ten finish at the final race of the year for the FIA European Formula 3 Championship at Hockenheim - something which looked unlikely just the day before.
Hopes were high heading to Hockenheim, as the team had been very competitive at the first rounds held at the historic German circuit, back in May, with Raoul in particular having been to the fore.
For race one Raoul made a good start but was boxed in at turn one and was tagged from both behind and the side, as well as touching the car in front, and his car was sufficiently damaged to mean retirement was inevitable. He was then really unlucky as, while coasting to a halt he was hit incredibly hard from behind by an unsighted rival from much lower on the grid, unfortunately ending his whole day early.
With the Team West-Tec F3 crew working until well into the early hours to build a new gearbox and replace the rear end of the car, Raoul was able to take up his position on the grid for race three, albeit from a lower than anticipated 20th position. On a drying track Raoul initially dropped back before cutting through the field in impressive style, as those drivers who had started on wet tyres faded. Raoul eventually made it into the top ten, and held that position to finish tenth - which was a fine way to end the season.
The team now turns its attention to the upcoming Macau Grand Prix and a busy testing programme, which starts at Silverstone in the last week in October.
Raoul Hyman: The final race was a good way to end the season. Having to start 20th limited the possibilities but to get to the finish in tenth was a decent return. I need to thank my crew for working almost all night to get the car ready, as they did a great job for me. It has been a positve season, tough at times but I also know that I learned a lot.
John Miller, Team West-Tec F3: Raoul did a great job on Sunday - and was one of the few drivers not to overdrive in the damp early laps. He was fast and controlled, and finishing in the top ten was a deserved reward for him and the whole team who had very worked hard just to get him to the grid after the shunt on Saturday. Raoul has progressed well this year and I am sure will be a frontrunner in 2016 should he choose to return to Formula 3.
Team West-Tec F3 made its FIA F3 debut in 2014, finishing sixth in the Teams Championship in just its first year, working with HWA-Mercedes as engine partner. Team West-Tec F3 enjoys team support from Nielsen Chemicals, Eibach, B-G Racing, Mechanix, MIS Locktons and Freem GB.
