MRF Challenge 2016: Mick Schumacher shines in Round One
Sakhir (Bahrain): Mick Schumacher finished the Round One of the MRF Challenge 2016 with an emphatic win. The 17-year-old German driver, who had won the Race Two on Friday, bagged another top podium finish in the fourth and final race at Bahrain International Circuit here on Saturday.
Schumacher with overall three podium finishes in four races here leads the championship with 75 points, ahead of Ralf Aron (72) and Joey Mawson (61) after the first round.
The German driver quickly surged ahead of Juri Vips who started from front row and coasted along to a comfortable victory. Second placed Estonian driver Vips couldn’t keep the heat on Schumacher but ensured he wasn’t chased down by Pedro Cardoso who finished third to complete podium. Earlier, Aron won the Race Three.
Results: Race 3: 1. Ralf Aron (21:09.925s), 2. Joey Mawson (21:16.493s), 3. Mick Schumacher (21:20.470s). Race 4: 1. Mick Schumacher (20:20.843s), 2. Juri Vips (20:23.145s), 3. Pedro Cardoso (20:24.452s).
Webber in his last hurrah
Former F1 driver Mark Webber remained the main attraction as the 40-year-old Australian was racing for the final time in his illustrious career.
Webber spent 14 seasons in F1 winning nine Grand Prix races, the last being British GP in 2012, before switching to the long-distance series in 2014.
After leaving F1, the former Red Bull driver quickly found success in the World Endurance Championship, winning the 2015 title for Porsche Team in only his second season.