Hillspeed’s Gerrard Xie claimed victory in the final GB3 race of the season at Donington Park, but Callum Voisin’s clean drive through the field ensured he claimed this year’s GB3 title.
Voisin started the reverse grid contest from 22nd and last on the grid, but powered through to 12th place, a position which guaranteed him the title no matter where rival Alex Dunne finished. Dunne was able to go from 20th on the grid to ninth, but two lengthy safety car periods restricted their chances of further progress.
Xie had built a big lead before the first safety car period after a rapid start, and retained it after the first restart. He took the flag ahead of Fortec's Edward Pearson, with Patrick Heuzenroeder taking third for Elite Motorsport,
Arden VRD's Nico Christodoulou was fourth ahead of Elite's Oliver Stewart, with his teammate McKenzy Cresswell ending his season in sixth.
Fortec's Jarrod Waberski took seventh ahead of teammate Max Esterson, with the top-10 completed by Dunne and JHR's David Morales.
While Xie claimed his first win in GB3, and Hillspeed's fifth win of the season, the main focus was on title protagonists Voisin and Dunne, starting from 22nd and 20th on the grid respectively.
Both made strong starts as Dunne gained six places on the first lap, and Voisin five, while both moved up three places next time around, with Dunne 11th and Voisin 14th, only two places away from the 12th place he needed to guarantee the title.
He moved into that crucial position next time around, thanks in part to the retirement of Tymek Kucharczyk, who found the wall exiting the Fogarty Esses, and bringing out the first safety car.
Racing resumed on lap eight, and despite some frenzied action, Dunne and Voisin held 11th and 12th places respectively.
But just two laps later, former title contender Joseph Loake spun his JHR car out of contention at the top of Hollywood, and the resulting safety car would stay out until the chequered flag.
Dunne had already found time to move up to ninth, but with Voisin 12th, the title went the way of Rodin Carlin's British-Swiss contender, his first championship success in car racing.
Voisin therefore earns the prize FIA Formula 3 test, as he looks to move up the ladder next season.
GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Donington Park race three provisional result:
1. Gerrard Xie, Hillspeed, 13 laps
2. Edward Pearson, Fortec Motorsport, +0.477
3. Patrick Heuzenroeder, Elite Motorsport, +1.214
4. Nico Christodoulou, Arden VRD, +1.811
5. Oliver Stewart, Elite Motorsport, +2.899
6. McKenzy Cresswell, Elite Motorsport, +3.598
7. Jarrod Waberski, Fortec Motorsport, +3.921
8. Max Estertson, Fortec Motorsport, +4.411
9. Alex Dunne, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +5.333
10. David Morales, JHR Developments, +5.835
11. James Hedley, Arden VRD, +6.373
12. Callum Voisin, Rodin Carlin, +6.968
13. Matthew Rees, JHR Developments, +7.407
14. Arthur Rogeon, Chris Dittmann Racing, +7.592
15. Souta Arao, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +9.724
16. Noah Ping, Arden VRD, +10.867
17. Michael Shin, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +11.100
18. John Bennett, Rodin Carlin, +11.651
19. Daniel Mavlyutov, Hillspeed, +12.006
DNF. Joseph Loake, JHR Developments,
DNF. Tymek Kucharczyk, Douglas Motorsport,
DNF. Costa Toparis, Rodin Carlin
Provisional final championship standings
1. Callum Voisin, Rodin Carlin, 484pts
2. Alex Dunne, Hitech Pulse-Eight, 466pts
3. Joseph Loake, JHR Developments, 417pts
4. McKenzy Cresswell, Elite Motorsport, 390pts
5. Matthew Rees, JHR Developments, 370pts
6. James Hedley, Arden VRD, 347pts
Click here to view full standings,