British Formula Three Championship leader Alan van der Merwe scored his first race win since Croft, beating Carlin colleague Richard 🏅Antinucci in round ten of the 2003 series at Silverstone.

Although winning t🌸he second race of the weekend was the South African's stated intent after qualifying, he was still slightly surprised to be standing on top of the podium, especially after such a dominant 5.3secs victory.

"After yesterday, I was doubting whether we were going to do it," van der Merwe admitte🤡d, "The car seemed much better yesterday, but I think yesterday's ✃tyres must have been knackered!"

There had been much speculation b🧸efore the start that van der Merwe, who started the race second, might have actually been in a better position than Nelson Piquet Jr, who started on pole, to get away well. But that proved academic when Nelsinho lost second gear and a handful of places at the start, and van der Merwe was able to take advantage.

"I think I heard his gearbox breakไ," the South African reckoned, "But I was still wondering whether I could stay at the front. As it was, I pushed away quite easily in the first quarter of the race and eased off after that."

Antinucci had a pretty solid run to second place but, in the early stages, a determined Adam Carroll challenged him. After a grassy moment through Becketts, fourth place man Jamie Green got ahꦫead of Carroll into Stowe, and the Irishman knew that immediate action was required.

"I knew that if I didn't get him back goi♔ng into Vale, I wouldn't get him at all," said the recently signed Menu F3 driver, who promptly spun in his efforts to pass theꦗ Englishman. He finished twelfth.

G❀reen's stay in third place was a short one, for Carroll's team-🍸mate Rob Austin, who admitted making a poor start, was on a charge.

"Jamie went a little wide into Luffield, so I went inside him, but he closed the door," Austin explained, "I had the rꦇun to the first corner though, and carried the momentum on the way to Becketts. I dummied to the left and passed him on the right."

Green retained fourth place, ahead of former Formula Renault team-mate Danny Watts in fifth. In the middle of the race, Watts 🐻came under significant pressure from Piquet, who was recovering from his poor start, but managed to hold on to his position.

"I would say this waꦦs an average 🌺weekend," said the Brazilian, despite winning Sunday's race.

T-Sport were again the strongest outfit in the Scholarship class, with Karun Chandhok just w🎃inning from Steven Kane.

"It was more hard work than the first race," reckoned the Indian driver, "I think maybe I had a flat spot on a tyre because I was getting massive🔥 vibrations, and I got caught up by a couple of class A cars as well."

Chandhok is now looking forward to a few weeks off be𒉰fore the next race at Castle Combe.

"I'm going back to India for𒁏 a little while, and it is excellent to go home with this result," beamed the champagne-soaked dr✤iver.

Ernesto Viso (P1 Motorsport) was second in class for a while, but was eliminated by contact from Stef🔯ano Fabi and Billy A♉saro.

The net result of the weekend is that very little🍨 changes at the top of the points, with van der Merwe still holding a🍃 decent lead over Green and Piquet. The next race, which takes place in four weeks time, is at Castle Combe, and should be a happy 'homecoming' for the South African.

"I had my first win there last year, so I'm looking forward to it," h🅺e smiled.