KEY POINTS:
New Zealand driver Brendon Hartley thrust himself back into contention for the British Formula 3 motor racing title when he scored a second placing and a win in the latest rounds in Belgium.
Hartley, from Palmerston North, took a win in the 16th round after fighting back from sixth place, snatching the lead on the final lap at the Spa Francorchamps circuit.
The teenager's seventh podium finish of the season backed up a solid second in the previous day's 15th round, also at Spa Francorchamps.
With bonus points for fastest laps in both Belgian races, Hartley, 18, is now fourth, just 22 points off the overall lead with 126 points up for grabs at the six remaining races.
The next two races are at Silverstone on August 16, followed by two races on the streets of Bucharest in Romania the following weekend.
The final round is at Donington Park in October.
Leading British F3 championship standings after 16 of 22 rounds: Jaime Alguersuari (Spain) 164 points 1, Sergio Perez (Mexico) 163 2, Oliver Turvey (Britain) 150 3, BRENDON HARTLEY (NZ) 142 4, Atte Mustonen (Finland) 121 5.
- NZPA
