Rodin starting to build momentum says Team Manager Waple after Voisin’s Sakhir podium

Rodin Motorsport Team Manager Sam Waple says the team’s performance in Sakhir was positive overall following Callum Voisin’s run to the podium in the Feature Race.

The 19-year-old had a strong weekend in Bahrain, qualifying second on Friday, finishing fourth on Saturday before running to a comfortable second on Sunday.

While his teammates Louis Sharp and Roman Bilinski did not score any points after a difficult Qualifying for the rookies that left them in P18 and P19 respectively, Waple was happy with how his team performed as a whole in Round 2.

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“For us, we can say that is was a very good weekend,” said Waple. “Obviously we would have liked all three drivers at the front like Callum, but sometimes it just doesn't go your way on a Friday and then you're at the mercy of that for Saturday and Sunday.

“Ultimately, we can take a positive view of the weekend with Callum's performance. I thought in the Sprint Race, he did such a good job to score some really decent points from 11th.

“In the Feature, he managed himself really well, didn't falter under pressure and brought home a bag of points for the team and for himself, so very good.”

Waple was especially happy with Voisin after a difficult Round 1 in Melbourne where he scored two points from the Sprint, but also because he feels the Briton is starting to gel with the new F3 car.

“I think he would also be the first to admit that he hasn't clicked immediately with this new car,” said Waple. “But obviously he's a hard worker and he is a very talented driver, it's just taken him some time to feel fully comfortable with the car this year.

“But something clicked over the test and I think he really delivered that this weekend. He performs well under pressure, and I think I am not sure we will see too many bad weekends going forward now, at least I hope not.”

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As for his pair of rookie drivers, Waple says it’s all about putting it together over a race weekend. He is though unconcerned given that both have shown huge potential so far in F3.

Bilinski achieved a podium on debut, finishing third in the Melbourne Sprint Race, while Sharp has been a regular near the top of the timesheets in the tests.

“They have shown some serious speed this year already,” he continued. “They are two rookies that are finding their way in this Championship and understanding how tough it can be in F3.

“These weekends just make them learn more and then move forward for the rest of the year, and I am sure they will. They have been very fast at times, and they just need to put it together. A bit of luck in F3 and off they go.”

Leaving Bahrain, Voisin is currently third in the Drivers’ Championship, while Rodin as a team are fourth in the Teams’ Standings, having already achieved two podiums in two rounds.

Waple is happy with what he has seen so far from his squad, especially as they have been building on a strong 2024 campaign.

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“I think last year we started to show that we had a package to be fast,” Waple continued. “I think this year it's just a combination of parts to prove that we can do it.

“It's been really nice to be able to actually prove that the team can work really well and that with the right team members, the right drivers, it’s been nice to start the year like that. Now, it's just a case of building momentum now, and improving on it the rest of the year.”

Looking forward to Round 3 in Imola next month, the Rodin boss says his team are feeling confident ahead of the trip to Italian soil.

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“I think we are confident going in,” he added. “Obviously Callum was very quick at Imola last year. It didn't come together for him that weekend but he showed speed so he likes the place.

“Roman knows it really well from FRECA, so we go there pretty positive. I think it will be nice to get back into the European series, away from the flyaways. I think it makes everyone feel a bit more comfortable, knowing their surroundings more and we are really looking forward to it.”