Daniel Ricciardo just failed to win another thrilling race after a race long dice with Earl Bamber. Dominic Storey finished a fine third with Zahir Ali fourth and Aaron Lim sixth.
The first lap was a hectic affair with Bamber chopping across the bows of Ricciardo at the start and taking the lead. Sam Abay took third from James Grunwell at turn 7 but Grunwell returned the favour at turn 9. Bamber and Ricciardo were already pulling away after the first lap with Abay third after Grunwell went off. Zahir Ali was up to fourth from Storey and Aaron Lim. Daniel pushed Bamber all the way, making several attempts to pass until he ran wide on the exit of turn one on lap eight and dropped back a couple of seconds. Ricciardo proved he had the speed by quickly recovering the lost ground and was right on Bamber’s tail again with two laps to go. Try as he might he could not find a way past, going onto the last lap the two running side by side through turn one. It was fine display of driving from both drivers and both really deserved to win.
Behind the front two Sam Abay initially looked comfortable in third but Dominic Storey and Zahir Ali drafted themselves back up to the championship leader and both found a way past when the Australian ran wide at turn 7. Try as he might Zahir could not find a way past and they finished in that order. Aaron Lim was also catching Abay but ran out of time and finished sixth.
The final race of the year this afternoon should again see a great battle at the front and Ricciardo is hoping to end the year on a high. Storey, Ali and Lim also have the speed to take that elusive top step of the podium!
