Two top-fives for America's Tveter in GP3

In only his second GP3 series weekend, American Ryan Tveter recorded fifth- and a fourth-place finishes Saturday and Sunday, respectively, for the Trident Motorsport team in an international field of future F1 hopefuls at the Red Bull Ring. The GP3 doubleheader supported Sunday's Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.

"Overall it was a fantastic weekend," Tveter said. "Two top-five finishes in my second GP3 weekend move things in the right direction. It's an incredibly competitive championship with great talent throughout the field."

• Sunday GP3 race report

• Saturday GP3 race report

The 23-year-old driver from Oyster Bay, N.Y. was forced to fight off constant challenges from the extremely competitive field. He started fourth in Sunday's 18-lap race and advanced to third almost immediately, whereupon current point leader Nirei Fukuzumi moved into fourth place and began a race-long attack on Tveter.

Lap after lap Tveter held the second-year GP3 driver at bay before Fukuzumi slipped by him on lap 17 to steal the final podium position.

On Saturday, Tveter started seventh but moved up to fifth on lap three when both he and Fukuzumi passed Giuliano Alesi.

Alesi hounded Tveter the rest of the way, but Tveter was up to each challenge. Dorian Boccolacci passed Alesi for sixth working lap 22. He got by Tveter briefly too, but Tveter got him right back within the same lap. Boccolacci ran off course on the last lap to give sixth back to Alesi. Tveter went on to post his first top-five finish in only his third GP3 race.

"The first race was probably the most difficult race of my life so far," Tveter said. "I was nursing a flat spot that I picked up after a huge lock-up into Turn 4 when there was oil on the track on lap five. I was really happy to bring it home in fifth after being under massive pressure with seriously crazy vibration coming from the right-front tire.

"Despite holding third for the majority of today's race, we didn't give anything away. I wanted the podium as much for my team as myself but at least Fukuzumi, the championship leader, had to work for it. His last DRS gave him the edge on the penultimate lap. I did my best to defend but ultimately he squeezed by.

"The car's balance was solid, but we struggled a bit on the high-speed corners compared to the ART cars. Still, the car performed well, was there for me, and I was able to bring it home in fourth. Thanks to the guys at Trident for their exceptional work and a special thanks to KFC and Pertamina for their support. I can't wait to get back out at Silverstone on Thursday!"

"We're very happy to see Ryan deliver on his potential so early in the championship, especially as a rookie," said Giacomo Ricci, team manager and team principal for Trident Motorsport. "He drove two fantastic races. He can feel very pleased about his performance for himself and the team this weekend."

Tveter's Dallara carries the colors of Jagonya Ayam!/KFC Indonesia and Pertamina. Tveter also uses his racing program to support several not-for-profit groups: Right To Play, MTV Staying Alive, and the Lessons for Life Foundation.