Maxim Rehm bounced back from the disappointment of losing his Race 1 podium with a strong second-place finish in the final GB3 race of the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Rodin Motorsport driver started from the front row alongside championship leader Nikita Bedrin and held second at the start. However, Bedrin quickly built a small advantage in clean air and controlled the race from the front.
Although Rehm matched Bedrin’s pace later in the contest, he could not close the gap enough to challenge for victory. Nevertheless, second place marked an important recovery after his post-race penalty on Saturday and kept him second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Rehm explains early pace struggle behind Bedrin
After the race, Rehm admitted that the opening phase proved decisive. While he eventually matched Bedrin’s lap times, the early gap left him unable to fight for the win.
“Yeah, I think in the beginning we just struggled quite a bit with the pace. To the end we matched him, but I just struggled to stay in his slipstream and then he pulled away. And I think it’s really difficult if you barely match times to catch him up.
“I sort of hoped for his mistake, but I mean, he’s a very experienced driver. So, obviously that was not going to happen. I think P2 is still fine.”
That assessment reflected the pattern of the race. Bedrin made a clean start from pole and avoided the battles behind, while Rehm had to manage pressure from his Rodin Motorsport teammates and Hitech’s Deagen Fairclough during the opening lap.
Once Bedrin moved out of slipstream range, Rehm faced a difficult task. Around Spa, the tow can help drivers close along the Kemmel Straight, but without it, even matching lap times was not enough to reduce the deficit.
Championship focus remains despite points gap
Rehm’s second place also carried wider championship importance. After losing his Race 1 podium through a post-race penalty, he needed a strong response to limit the damage against Bedrin.
The German still sits second in the Drivers’ Championship, though Bedrin’s victory extended the gap at the top. However, Rehm remains focused on the long season ahead.
“Looking at the championship, we’re still in second place. I think we have a [27]-point gap roughly to Nikita, so I think it’s over yet. I think the season is still very long. So, yeah, let’s see what happens in the next races.”
His comments underline the fact that the title battle remains far from settled. Although Bedrin has built early momentum with three wins from five completed races, Rehm has consistently kept himself near the front.
Moreover, Rodin Motorsport’s overall Spa performance showed the team’s strength. Martin Molnar joined Rehm on the Race 2 podium, while Abbi Pulling won Race 1 and finished fifth on Sunday, giving Rodin a strong collective haul.
Rehm enjoys Spa despite one-off visit
With the sun finally appearing after a weather-disrupted weekend, Rehm also reflected positively on racing at Spa-Francorchamps. The Belgian venue had already produced delays, an abandoned race and changing conditions, but the circuit remained a highlight for the Rodin driver.
“I think it’s a very nice track, yeah. It’s long. I love Eau Rouge. I think it’s a legendary track. Sad we’re not coming back this year, but enjoyed it very much, yeah.”
Spa’s combination of high-speed corners, long straights and heavy braking zones made it one of the most demanding venues on the calendar. For Rehm, the circuit also provided a chance to recover after Saturday’s frustration.
Although victory remained out of reach, his second-place finish ensured he left Belgium with valuable points and a restored podium result.
Rehm keeps title bid alive before Hungary
Rehm’s Spa weekend carried both frustration and encouragement. The Race 1 penalty cost him a podium, but his Race 2 performance showed resilience at an important stage of the championship.
Bedrin may have extended his advantage, yet Rehm remains his closest challenger. Therefore, the next rounds will prove crucial as Rodin Motorsport looks to convert its team-wide strength into further pressure on VRD Racing.
The GB3 Championship resumes at the Hungaroring on 4/5 July, where Rehm will aim to reduce the gap and continue his push for a first win of the season.
