RACE - 2 LEGS
November 25, 2001

COCHET DOMINATES SUPER PRIX
Frenchman Jonathan Cochet thoroughly justified his decision to return to Formula 3 competition by dominating today's International Formula 3 Korea Super Prix at the Changwon International Raceway in South Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

The Signature Competition driver, who raced briefly in both Formula Nissan and F3000 this year, converted his pole position into a three-second advantage in the opening leg of the 17-lap race and was never headed as he pulled away to the flag. In Sunday afternoon's second event, he was equally dominant - blasting into a lead he was never to relinquish and setting a new lap record on his way to victory.

"I had no real problems today," he beamed after the race. "My only worries came at the start but fortunately my getaways were perfect. The Changwon track is a very difficult circuit so you need to attack all the time - particularly on the infield section. If you stop pushing, it becomes easier to make a mistake."

In both legs, Cochet was hounded all the way to the flag by British driver Andy Priaulx. The Promatecme UK driver, who also started from the front row of the grid, was never able to make a decisive move on the leader, however. "Jonathan made an exceptional start," he admitted. "Our pace just wasn't quite there but we've had a brilliant weekend. The team never compromised for a moment."

After a series of breathtaking overtaking manoeuvres, Benoit Treluyer secured third spot, despite beginning Sunday's first race from ninth on the grid. At the green light, the Frenchman rocketed into seventh and further benefited when Enrico Toccacelo and Tiago Monterio tangled in front of him. He muscled past German champion Toshihiro Kaneishi for fourth in the opener before blasting past Derek Hayes at the beginning of race two to secure third at the flag. The Ulsterman drove an increasingly lonely race to fourth after ending the opening leg in third position.

Priaulx's French team-mate Bruce Jouanny muscled past Andre Couto for fifth ahead of Italian racer Paolo Montin - who blasted past a number of cars on his way to sixth.

Drivers who encountered problems in the third-running of the prestigious Korean event included Portugese racer Tiago Monteiro who spun into retirement and Couto - who was slowly hampered by rising water temperatures. The 2000 victor Narain Karthikeyan struggled to ninth overall, losing too much ground in a Friday qualifying shunt to ever really challenge for victory.

TOP 10 OVERALL FINISHING POSITIONS

1 Jonathan COCHET
2 Andy PRIAULX
3 Benoit TRELUYER
4 Derek HAYES
5 Bruce JOUANNY
6 Paolo MONTIN
7 Kousuke MATSUURA
8 Toshihiro KANEISHI
9 Narain KARTHIKEYAN
10 Tristan GOMMENDY