Sachsenring, Germany: Mahindra riders Miguel Oliveira and Efrén Vázquez finished fourth and sixth at German Grand Prix. A double top six equals the best result yet for the new-this-year MGP3O, underlining the strength of the machine and the team.

Although hopes of a first top-three podium finish were dashed again, the Mahindra pit was all smiles, after the two riders – circulating in close company until the end – showed speed and reliability, and moved Mahindra tantalisingly close to second in the Constructors Championship, just three points away.

The first race of the day at the short and tortuous 3.67-km circuit outside Chemnitz took place in dry conditions, and was a typical Moto3™ thriller from start to finish.

Oliveira was on the front row of the grid for the fourth time this year, but made a poor start, finishing the first lap eighth. Vázquez was right behind him, with a flying start from the third row of the grid.

As the usual top trio of Spaniards moved clear ahead, Vázquez passed his team-mate and the pair started to pick up positions. By the mid-point of the 27-lap race Oliveira was ahead once more, with the white-and-red Mahindras in a four-bike battle for fourth place.

Oliveira took the position with three laps to go, and held off a challenging Alex Marquez. Vázquez was on the Spaniard’s back wheel, but just unable to find a way past. Oliveira finished 4.98 seconds behind winner Alex Rins; Vázquez less than half-a-second behind him.

The Moto3 class now has a summer break, with the next race at Indianapolis on August 18.