WOOD FIFTH IN W SERIES AT SPA

Aussie Caitlin Wood has finished fifth as Emma Kimilainen mastered the wet conditions to win Round 5 of W Series at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

In just her second appearance for PUMA W Series Team, Wood achieved a top five result after qualifying in her best career grid spot of third.

After a rolling start Wood was immediately challenged by Kimilainen and Marta Garcia, compounded by her straying from the track through Eau Rouge.

The trio were separated by mere metres through the early moments of the race, only for Kimilainen to dive up the inside and claim third at Turn 9.

The 24-year-old Australian then traded places with teammate Garcia before relinquishing fourth spot.

Wood finished a lonely fifth as the passing pair pulled away from then on.

Kimilainen claimed her first win of the season ahead of championship leader Jamie Chadwick.

The 32-year-old started fourth on the grid but showed the most confidence on a rain-soaked track to pass reigning champion Chadwick as well as Racing X driver Alice Powell.

The final margin was 8.4s in a romping victory which moves the Finnish driver up to third in the championship standings for Ecurie W.

Spanish driver Garcia made a late move to complete the podium.

Garcia overtook Powell at Turn 15 with 30 seconds remaining and held off the Brit’s challenge over the final two laps to earn her first podium finish of the season.

Consequently, Powell finished fourth in front of Wood who lost her qualifying advances after running wide at Eau Rouge.

Jessica Hawkins finished sixth, while Fabienne Wohlwend weaved her way through the field to finish seventh for Bunker Racing. after starting 13th on the grid

Nerea Marti, Miki Koyama and Abbie Eaton completed the top ten.

Kimilainen is now third in the championship standings, trailing the leading Chadwick by 31 points, who is 7 points ahead of English compatriot Powell.

Wood has moved to 14th after just two race starts.

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