Brand Hatch, 19^th May 2013 - Indonesia’s Sean Gelael was denied what could have been his first points finish in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at Brands Hatch due to a decision from the officials.

The 16-year-old, who is taking on an incredibly competitive field of 29 international drivers despite very little race experience, had just moved into 10^th place in the last of the weekend’s three races when he was judged to have driven too fast through a yellow-flag zone.

Gelael was having his most competitive showing of the weekend. He had moved his Double R Racing Dallara-Mercedes into 16^th place, under pressure from German Andre Rudersdorf, and then gradually moved up to 10^th as drivers in front were given drive-through penalties in the pits due to going too fast through the yellow flags, which were out because of an accident.

Unfortunately, Sean then had to take his turn to take a drive-through penalty. Afterwards he was making good progress again in 18^th place when he banged his elbow seriously on the side of the cockpit when he ran over a kerb, the pain forcing him to retire to the pits.

It was a disappointing end to the weekend for Gelael. While his rivals all had strong preparation for the race, he had to fly to England from Indonesia the day before practice and qualifying after sitting school exams.

Then, while he was getting to grips with the track in free practice, he suffered a broken driveshaft that cost him track time. Nevertheless, he put in an encouraging performance in qualifying.

In the first two races he battled in the pack to finish in 23^rd and 22^nd positions, lapping just one second off the fastest driver.

“At first it was a struggle,” he said. “Even more for the team, because they had to race to get the car ready for qualifying after the driveshaft broke. It’s a good thing we were in the second group and not the first!

“It didn’t feel really nice in first qualifying, but in the second I finally got a rhythm going and it was better.

“In the first race I had an OK start but then I had a bit of a slide, and from then on I didn’t have the right feeling in the car. In race two I gained six positions on the first lap! I got up behind Mitchell Gilbert, but because I was so close I lost the aerodynamic grip from the front of the car and went straight on at the next corner.

“So I lost three places but the pace was up there. With this being such a short track, our group was fighting but we all had to pay attention to the blue flags when the leaders lapped us.

“In race three I had an excellent start and it was a good race. Once you’re up there it’s all right and you can find your rhythm – it’s just getting there that’s the hard part. Then I clipped a nerve in my funny bone – I tried to continue but it was just too painful.”

The next round of the F3 European Championship is at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 1^st and 2^nd June, but before then Sean will be taking on the first round of the British Formula 3 International Series, on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, next weekend on 25^th and 26^th May.

“The most important thing is that I’m learning day by day,” he added.“I only got here on Thursday because of my schedule, and that makes it not as easy as the other drivers because of school. But I will be staying in Europe for the next three weeks so I hope things begin to get better.”