Honours were even for Formula BMW Asia's supporting round of the Chinese Grand Prix after Earl Bamber and Sam Abay both scored a victory and a second place each at Shanghai to keep the points margin equal.

Although it was Abay that led from pole position in the first race, Bamber proved to be the quicker driver, the New Zealander getting the better of him down the home straight, getting a tow and sweeping past before pulling out a two second gap by the chequered flag.

Undettered, Abay hit back in the second race run in difficult conditions, winning by three seconds from sparring the partner Bamber, the teenager having to fight to come out on top of a battle with a racy Daniel Ricciardo, the duo entertaining the crowd.

The result means Abay remains in the lead of the championship by 16 points from Bamber, who in turn is now 43 points up on Ricciardo making this certainly more of a battle between the two Australasian drivers, one that Abay is confident he can win – after all, his legs depend on it…

"I'm positive about winning the title. I've got the best team and lots of support form them and family and friends, he said, adding: Plus my team boss will break my legs if I don't win the title!"

Elsewhere, Dominic Storey rounded out the podium in race one, holding of Ricciardo, Aaron Lim and newcomer to the series Mohammed Albahama. In the second race it was Ricciardo's turn to play a supporting role, with Storey, Lin and Zahir Ali rounding out the top six.

credit : crash.net