First podium finish for Ananda

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian driver Ananda Mikola fulfilled his two-year-long dream of a Formula Three podium finish when he came in second in the fifth leg of the auto racing championship series at Imola circuit, Italy, on Sunday.

Starting from the fourth grid, Ananda finished 12.5 seconds behind Donny Crevels of the Netherlands, who clocked 45 minutes and 9.007 seconds. Championship leader Michele Gasparini of Italy was third in 45:25.

Ananda said his decision to make a breakaway at the dangerous Tamburello bend early in the race kept Gasparani's persistent challenges at bay.

Gasparani remained on the top of the championship standings with 67 points after the race, but saw his lead over closest rival Crevel cut by five points. Ananda was sixth with 41 points going into the sixth leg. (yan)