Electric Cars

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 British GT3 season at Donington Park, Charles Dawson and Kiern Jewiss were crowned champions. Their fourth-place finish was more than enough to secure the title, as their closest competitors faced a formidable task, requiring a victory to upset the standings. The final race, a challenging two-hour event, was ultimately won by Barwell's Alex Martin and Sandy Mitchell, who skillfully navigated the unpredictable conditions.

The championship decider was set against a backdrop of fluctuating weather, adding an extra layer of complexity to the race. Rob Collard and Hugo Cook, also from Barwell Lamborghini, completed a one-two finish, with Kevin Tse and Maximilian Gotz of 2 Seas Mercedes securing third place. The qualifying rounds had already hinted at the challenges ahead, with Barwell mastering tyre warm-up to claim the top two grid positions. Dawson and Jewiss, despite their strong championship lead, started fourth, while the other contenders found themselves further down the grid, facing an uphill battle.

As the race commenced, light rain began to fall, prompting cautious driving from most competitors. However, an early incident involving an Aston Martin GT4 led to a full-course yellow, which soon transitioned into a safety car period. Upon the restart, the rain intensified, making conditions treacherous for cars still on slick tyres. A pivotal moment occurred when Giacomo Petrobelli and Dawson tangled at the Old Hairpin, sending both to the back of the pack. This incident temporarily elevated Morgan Tillbrook's Optimum McLaren to third, but his pace suffered as the race progressed and the rain eased.

Dawson's resilience shone through as he battled back despite incurring a 10-second penalty for contact with Tillbrook. The pit window, a critical phase in British GT races, brought further strategic decisions. Dawson and Jewiss had an additional 20-second penalty to serve due to their previous win, alongside other success penalties for various teams. As the second hour unfolded, the rain returned, promoting a focus on safe driving. Sandy Mitchell took the lead after pit stops, maintaining a significant gap over Cook. Gotz advanced to third, showcasing the dynamic nature of the race.

The final 20 minutes saw drying conditions, but by then, the outcome was largely determined. Mitchell crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead, followed by Cook. Gotz secured third, while the championship-winning 2 Seas Mercedes, with Dawson and Jewiss at the helm, finished just under a second behind their sister car. The jubilant Dawson expressed immense satisfaction, acknowledging Jewiss's performance and thanking his team. In the GT4 category, Jack Brown and Marc Warren also celebrated a class victory, marking Brown's second British GT4 championship.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton's Singapore Grand Prix performance was severely impacted from the early stages of the race due to a significant brake malfunction. This issue compelled the driver to employ a lift-and-coast strategy for the majority of the event. Despite these substantial challenges, the seven-time world champion remarkably managed to record the fastest lap of the Sunday race.

Vasseur detailed the onset of the brake problem, stating it emerged within the second or third lap, necessitating a constant adjustment to braking points, which posed a considerable difficulty for Hamilton. He emphasized that while Hamilton showcased strong pace during brief periods when he could push, the compromised state of the brakes meant he spent most of the race on the defensive.

The Frenchman acknowledged the team's surprise at the brake failure, attributing it to the intense heat and the congested conditions of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Such environmental factors, particularly when cars are closely following one another, can indeed exacerbate brake-related issues. Despite the unexpected nature of the malfunction, Vasseur suggested that the demanding circuit environment played a critical role.

Hamilton's race was further complicated by a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits, a direct consequence of his inability to control the car effectively due to the brake problem. Rival driver Fernando Alonso voiced his apprehension regarding the safety of Hamilton's vehicle under such circumstances. However, Vasseur reassured that the team’s strategy of adjusting Hamilton’s pace ensured the driver's safety, albeit at the cost of competitive performance. He light-heartedly remarked that while safety was paramount, achieving it by driving significantly slower was not the ultimate objective.

The fastest lap achieved by Hamilton, set on soft tires towards the end of the race, was considered unrepresentative by Vasseur. He highlighted that this lap was not indicative of the car's true potential or the race conditions under which Hamilton had been struggling. The team principal noted that while Hamilton's raw speed was evident when not managing the brake issue, the overall race was a frustrating experience due to the constant need for caution.

Ultimately, after battling significant technical difficulties and incurring a time penalty, Lewis Hamilton concluded his Singapore Grand Prix campaign in eighth position, earning four championship points.