Hartley fights back in Holland

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CAR TROUBLE: Brendon Hartley's car hasn't been co-operating at the Formula 3 Euro Series this season.

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New Zealand driver Brendon Hartley had to stage yet another fighting comeback in the European Formula Three championship race at Zandvoort in Holland this morning (NZtime).

Hartley was forced to start from 19th on the grid in this morning's first race of the weekend after being hit during the 30-minute grid qualifying session by English driver Sam Bird.

The Englishman misjudged his weaving while warming his car's tyres and collided with Hartley's car, damaging the suspension.

The incident was annoying for Hartley because he had been third fastest in Friday's second session of pre-testing, and the fastest Volkswagen-engined runner.

Hartley was the big mover in the 25-car field contesting the Dutch race.

At the end of 17 laps round the undulating North Sea coastline circuit the 19-year-old had worked steadily through to field to finish 10th.

The race was won by championship leader Jules Bianchi of France.

The second race is tomorrow morning.

-NZPA