It’s been an eventful weekend as drivers adjusted to the circuit and the weather continued to cause problems. But with mixed results from free practice and qualifying, today’s sprint race could see anyone sit on the podium.
We went green to race as Del Pino maintains P3, and Slater maintains his lead over Strømsted in turn 1. Ugochukwu, who sat in P5, had gained two positions after DRS was activated in lap 2. Slater and Strømsted were battling for the lead, and on lap 3, the Danish driver took the lead.
Big Moves—Early Laps
As Boya advanced from P16 to P11, there was some contact amongst drivers, but we remained green. Slater was being chased by Ugochukwu, who was seated in P3; Boya and Benavides were noted for causing a collision.
The FIA also noted León and Sharp for contact (no further investigation). Tsolov put pressure on Inthraphuvasak in P8, but they were stuck in a DRS train.
Track Limits Everywhere!
Slater was 2.1 seconds behind Strømsted on lap 6, but Ugochukwu was putting more pressure on him to pass. Car number 22, Domingues was given a five-second time penalty for exceeding the track limits.
Slater Falling Through the Grid
While Ugochukwu took P2, Boya managed to stay on course despite a minor slide that kicked up some debris. Wurz moved past, and Slater dropped another position. On lap 8, Tsolov, Câmara, and Boya passed Del Pino, causing him to fall even lower. After his wide turn, Slater falls to Stenshorne, Tsolov, and Câmara in a close, intense battle for P4, and Zagazeta entered the pit lane on lap 9 and DNF’ed.
After a double overtake on Stenshorne, Câmara was just behind Tsolov, who took P4. Boya was given a five-second penalty for exceeding the track limits. Del Pino and Naël were given black and white flags for track limits, and Del Pino and Intraphuvasak are being investigated. Slater is being investigated for track limits after sitting in P10.
Fast Track + Close Battles = Maiden Victory
In P3, Wurz was under immense pressure as Tsolov closed the gap in this last lap. Stenshorne was passed by Intraphuvasak for P6. That’s the checkered flag as Wurz maintains p3 and Ugochukwu takes p2, while Strømsted gets P1, his maiden F3 victory! Boya’s five-second penalty drops him outside the points, according to the FIA.
Follow us as we provide coverage of tomorrow’s race to conclude round 8 in Belgium, where a shift in the drivers’ title may be anticipated.