Atech CRS GP claimed its first GP3 podium finish of the season in the weekend’s opening race at Silverstone, after the right call on tyre choice allowed Nick Yelloly to take a fighting third place. The team elected to send Yelloly to the grid on wet weather tyres after they saw that rain was predicted.As the 30-car field made their way onto the grid for the formation lap, the heavens opened, sending half the grid rushing to pit for wet weather tyres at the conclusion of the lap, and forcing them to start from the pit lane.On a depleted grid, Yelloly made a superb start to get into second on the opening tour. Thereafter the Solihull driver held the place until the very last lap, when he was passed for the position, taking third at the flag to collect his first points of the season.Swiss-Filipino Marlon Stockinger also drove a strong race from the start, another good decision by the team to send him out on wet weather tyres saw the 20 year-old up to seventh on lap one. After dropping to eighth at the mid-point, with the possibility of starting from pole for today’s top-eight reversed grid, he eventually crossed the line ninth. However following the race, Stockinger was docked 30 seconds for ignoring waved yellow flags and will now start race two from 16th on the grid.There was disappointment however for Swiss Zoel Amberg, one of 18 drivers to gamble on starting on dry tyres, and subsequently pitting for wets before the race start, who was then forced into retirement on lap eight.

Nick Yelloly: “We made absolutely the right call with the tyres after the rain fell on the formation lap. When we lined up there was just half the grid there effectively and I was able to make up a few places at the start, then when two cars collided ahead of me, I managed to get up to second. At the start the track was pretty slippery, but as it dried, I had to try and find the grip and pace as it was drying quite quickly.  Towards the end Sims was very quick and managed to pass me on the last lap. I’m very happy with my first GP3 podium and points though and now start sixth for tomorrow, so if I can get a point out of that race I’ll be happy.”