Chipping Norton’s Alice Powell finished the Grand Prix 3 Series Championship season at Monza on a high note by becoming the first female to score a point.

The 19-year-old Status Grand Prix driver’s eighth place behind Marussia Manor Racing’s Tio Ellinas in the second of two races saw her make her own little bit of history.

It came after she finished a creditable 12th in the previous race, when victory went to Lotus GP’s Daniel Abt.

Powell said: “To end the weekend like we did is great.

“To get my first point in GP3 is brilliant and I am so chuffed.

“Status Grand Prix have done a great job and helped me so much this year, so to finish the weekend with a top-eight finish is fantastic.”

Powell’s historic point came after she made a poor start to the second race, dropping back from 12th to 15th place.

She fought back to cross the line in tenth, and was subsequently promoted to eighth when Aaro Vaino and Pal Kiss picked up post-race penalties.

She added: “I have learnt so much and would not have done if it wasn't for help of the Status crew.

“I hope to raise enough sponsorship to compete in the fantastic GP3 Series next year.”

Status Grand Prix engineer Simon Cayzer said: “It’s fantastic that Alice finished the season with a point score.

“She has always shown great speed, but getting on the points table had been our target for some races now.

“To be the first female driver to achieve this is a great achievement and testament to all the hard work Alice puts in both on and off the track.”