Jordan King took his first podium of the season this morning at the opening round of the 2014 FIA Formula European Championship at Silverstone. The British racer made a strong start from his sixth placed grid slot, challenging at one point for second, but taking the final podium spot in the first race of the season. Team mate Ed Jones completed a steady race to come home in eighth place, while Jake Dennis fought back to 17th place after pitting for a new front wing early on.

Having been slightly disappointed with his sixth place in qualifying yesterday, King was focused on the perfect start as the lights went out at a cold Silverstone this morning. The Carlin man duly climbed up to fourth straight away and then passed Antonio Fuoco to take third place on lap two.

Jones meanwhile had maintained his starting position of seventh place as the drivers completed lap one. On his first ever F3 start, Racing Steps driver Dennis had certainly made an impression and had made up several places from his 16th place grid slot. The young Brit was flying through the field until contact with Spike Goddard left him with a broken wing while fighting for tenth.  

Pitting for a new front win on lap two, Dennis returned to the track in 22nd place, with plenty of work ahead of him. Team mate King meanwhile was looking racy, until the safety car neutralised the racing action while marshal’s cleared away a multi-car accident.  

When the race restarted, King was immediately on the attack and briefly passed Esteban Ocon for second place, but wasn’t quite able to hold on. Settling back into third, King stayed close to the Prema driver for the remainder of the race.

Jones had dropped to eighth by lap seven, while Dennis was making plenty of moves as he fought his way through the field. At the chequered flag, King took a strong third place and his first podium of the season. Jones was eighth while Dennis had recovered to 17th and also took third on the rookie podium.

Speaking about his race, King said, “I knew the start was going to be really important and I felt like that was one of our strengths after start practice during winter testing. It was a great feeling to make up those positions off the line and into the first corner. I did try to pass Esteban [Ocon] at the restart and briefly got past him, but I couldn’t quite make it stick. I’m pretty pleased with third though.”