Australian Joey Mawson secured three podium finishes across four races on debut in the MRF Challenge at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The PODIUM-backed driver qualified second fastest on Friday before securing a pair of podiums with a second and third placing during the opening two encounters.
Saturday’s third race saw Mawson take full advantage of his front row start to lead the way until a Safety Car intervention midway through the race. On the first lap after the restart Ralf Aron got a tow on the back straight allowing him to use the aerodynamic advantage to make a pass. Mawson was then vulnerable to Mick Schumacher in third.
After fending off Schumacher’s challenge, Mawson set about chasing down Aron but was unable to do so in the short amount of laps.
In the final race Mawson was battling for his fourth podium of the weekend before an issue with the gear selector forced him to run wide dropping him to sixth, where he would eventually finish.
“It was a great experience, I feel that I learnt a lot across the weekend,” said Mawson.
“At the start of the weekend we found out that we were using stick shifters instead of paddle shift, so that was very different. Not just for me but for everyone, we all had to adapt quickly.
“I managed to come away with three podiums out of four races, it would have been nice to have had a win but to be right up there and show some really good speed is very pleasing.
“It was great to have some good close racing and I’m looking forward to the next round.”
After the first of four rounds, Mawson is third in the Championship standings on 61 points. Mick Schumacher leads on 75 ahead of Ralf Aron on 72.
The next event is in three weeks time (December 8-10) in Dubai.
