Motorsport: Mitch Evans pipped in close duel

Mitch Evans' valiant effort failed to pay off. Picture / GP2 Media

Jolyon Palmer a shade too quick for GP2 rival, writes Eric Thompson

GP2 driver Mitch Evans bagged more points at the new Sochi track in Russia in the penultimate round of the 2014 series.

Evans was quick in qualifying, making it to the third row of the grid for the feature race.
Dropping the hammer when the lights went out, the Kiwi was soon fighting for third place and after the pit stops was hot on series leader Jolyon Palmer's tail.

After swapping the lead a couple of times Palmer managed to hold off Evans' spirited challenge to take the win and the championship title.

"I was close to victory today," Evans said.

"It was a good battle with Palmer and I got ahead of him at one stage." For the reverse-grid race two Evans started seventh.

He managed to haul himself up to third after Sergio Canamasas had electrical problems.
He was unable to hold off a hard-charging Felipe Nasar and crossed the line in fourth. Evans moved up to fourth in the championship with one round to go in the United Arab Emirates on November 21 to 23.

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GP3 driver Richie Stanaway had a weekend to forget at the same event.

After being quick in qualifying he had to start in pit lane for race after missing his technical inspection slot and could only manage 12th in race one.

Race two was even worse when he was involved in an accident on the opening laps and had to retire.

With no points from the weekend he has dropped from second in the championship to fifth.

His next race will also be in the UAE.

Porsche success for Hartley

Works Porsche LMP1 919 Hybrid driver Brendon Hartley and co-drivers Mark Webber and Timo Bernhard overcame an early puncture to finish on the podium for the second time in the World Endurance Championship.

Racing in the six-hour race at Fuji, Japan, Webber was challenging for the lead when he had to pit.

Webber, and then Bernhard, put in double stints before handing over to Hartley who came third. "It was great to be on the podium for the second time as a Porsche driver," said Hartley.

"We have a steep learning curve this season but if we carry on his way we might just be able to fight for a race win soon."

His next race is in Shanghai on November 2.

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