Double R Racing’s Felipe Guimaraes steered his Mercedes-powered Dallara to a strong top 12 finish during the 73rd Grand Prix de Pau this afternoon, Sunday, 11th May, capping off yet another suitably solid weekend of action for the Brazilian in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

Making a welcome return to the hugely challenging French street circuit for the third event of 2014, after a year away, the Pau event was unsurprisingly hotly contested and 12th place for Guimaraes in the blue riband race – round nine of the season – marked his best result of the weekend.

With plenty of hard work to do to try and break into the points-paying top 10 from the ninth row of the grid, the 22-year-old made a good start and gained two places on the first lap. Taking 14th on lap two when Max Verstappen crashed out, Guimaraes then turned up the pressure on Ed Jones as he strived to edge closer to the points.

By lap eight the Double R racer was into 13th position and prior to a Safety Car period at two thirds distance he moved into the top 12. Although no further gains were possible, 12th position for the South American was a good return.

“It’s fantastic to have been back at Pau and we’re very happy with Felipe’s level of performance”, said Double R team principal Anthony ‘Boyo’ Hieatt, “The importance of qualifying on the first few rows is never greater than at a street circuit, so the races were always going to be very tough. Felipe delivered three excellent drives, though, and his race pace is good enough to be a top 10 regular.”

Due to the tight confines of the Pau streets, and with a large 27 car entry, qualifying was split into two groups and in Guimaraes’ session ahead of round seven he posted the ninth fastest time which equated to 17th on the overall grid for Saturday’s opening race.

Before the first lap had been completed, the Safety Car was deployed due to a mid-lap tangle and when the action re-started Guimaraes held 17th position. Swarming all over the back of Antonio Fuoco’s car, the Double R racer piled on the pressure but overtaking initially proved impossible.

Almost able to nose alongside his rival on lap 12, Guimaraes also had to focus on his mirrors with Felix Rosenqvist close behind. Following a second Safety Car period mid-race, Guimaraes turned up the heat even more and on lap 20 a late braking move into Lyceé momentarily gave him 16th place.

Unfortunately delayed on the exit, he was elbowed back to 17th by Rosenqvist who nipped past both the Brazilian and Fuoco. Four laps from the finish, Guimaraes was able to grab 16th decisively and at the chequered flag on lap 27 he was just 0.1 seconds outside the top 15. His best lap of the race, a time of 1m12.104 seconds, was better than that achieved by drivers inside the top 10.

Sunday morning’s race, round eight, began behind the Safety Car due to rainfall making the circuit particularly tricky. Guimaraes started in 19th position and when the action got underway on lap five, the Brazilian immediately set about challenging race one adversary Fuoco.

Taking 18th on lap six, the Double R driver then quickly grabbed 17th from Gustavo Menezes before becoming bottled-up in the close midfield battle. Moving into 16th position as a result of Verstappen crashing out on lap 12, Guimaraes then claimed 15th when Rosenqvist also collected the barriers.

By lap 15, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship rookie was into 14th position but an attempted pass for 13th at the tight Lyceé right-hander didn’t work out and ensuing contact meant a visit to the pits for a new front wing. Emerging a lap down, Guimaraes eventually finished the race in 15th as several others also hit trouble late-on. Confirming his great pace again, he posted the 10th best lap.

Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season will take place over the weekend 30th May/1st June at the Hungaroring in Hungary. One week prior, Double R’s Cooper Tires British F3 International Series squad will return to action at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in the UK.

Provisional 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Standings (after Rd9):

=19th Felipe Guimaraes, 1pt