PETALING JAYA: Jazeman Jaafar reached a new high in his young career by finishing second in the overall drivers’ championship at the conclusion of the British F3 International Series at Donington Park on Sunday.

A non-finish in the second race after being punted off track by Fortec driver Alex Lynn put paid to his chances of winning the overall title. But he bounced back superly to cross the line in third place in the final race of the weekend to seal the runner-up spot with 306 points.

His Carlin team-mate Jack Harvey won the final race to top the standings with 319 points, thus becoming the first British driver in six years to win the prestigious series. The weekend began for 19-year-old Jazeman with a second place behind Harvey in the first race.

Well done: Malaysia’s Jazeman Jaafar (right) finished third in the final race of the weekend to seal the second overall spot in the British F3 International Series championship standings. Jack Harvey (middle) was first and Alex Lynn (left) third.

The second race was a short-lived one for Jazeman as he was taken out early by Lynn, whose wheels locked while taking a line into the first corner.

Jazeman pushed hard in the final race and was rewarded with his second podium of the weekend to earn a breakthrough for Malaysian motorsports.

Jazeman was sixth overall in the championship last year and was pleased to have taken the title fight all the way.

“It’s been a hard-fought battle and I’m really pleased to have finished just behind Jack,” he said from Donington.

“It’s been a tough season, full of ups and downs but that doesn’t stop me pushing right to the very end.

“I’ve enjoyed battling at the front throughout the season and being right on the pace every time.

“The championship wasn’t really decided until the last lap of the last race, so it really couldn’t have been any tighter. In the end, I was only 13 points off Jack, I think it’s the closest finish in the series since 1999.” Jazeman shrugged off the impact of the second race, which ended his title hopes.

“I’m obviously disappointed but it was a racing incident and I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Alex had a puncture so it was unavoidable. There was nothing we could do about it. Sure it’s upsetting, but there’s no point in dwelling on it,” he added.

Jazeman will now turn his attention to finalising plans for next season’s campaign.

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