We’re back in Hungary as Formula 3 gets closer to the season’s final round, beginning with qualifying today. Rafael Câmara, the driver standings champion leader, is expected to extend his lead, while Nikola Tsolov intends to challenge him and take the lead.
Session Starts & Flying Laps
Matias Zagazeta’s unsafe release kicked off qualifying; Campos Racing has kept its drivers still in the pit lane. With a time of 1:33.436, Uguchukwu establishes the benchmark, but Strømsted takes the lead with a time of 1:33.354. For exceeding track limits, Câmara’s flying lap is deleted; according to his radio, “I’ve got too much understeer everywhere.”
Campos Racing’s Fast Lap Formula
As the majority of the field enters the pits, Campos racing is out; they may only need the clear air and no traffic to set their laps. Boya was leading with purple sectors in 1:33.013 while Intrharaohuvask is in P2 and Tsolov is in P4. With 17 minutes left in this session, the three Campos drivers are entering the pit lane as the rest of the grid has returned to the circuit.
Rush Hour Traffic Midsession!
As Strømsted tries to catch up to Boya, traffic bottlenecks on the track cause Câmara to be delayed. With 12 minutes left, Wurz gets provisional pole, just -0.001 seconds ahead of Ugochukwu, with Noel Léon and Câmara trailing him.
Maringaeli had to straighten himself after hitting a curb a little more forcefully than anticipated. The Campos drivers are the only ones on track once more; Boya is back on pole with 1:32.653, Inthraphuvasak is at P8, and Tsolov is at P15.
As traffic builds up, there is some drama and confusion. Câmara had to utilize the pit lane, which prevented him from starting his lap well. Everyone is rushing to complete a strong lap in the final three minutes.
Fastest Laps Hit as Clock Winds Down
At P4, Benavides leaps into the top 10. Wurz pushes for his lap while driving slowly and noticeably with some dirt on his tires. Tukka Taponen takes first place with a lap time of 1:32.652, while Gerrard Xie leaps up to P2.
With 30 seconds left, Câmara, Tsolov, and Boya were still battling, while Tramnitz put up a strong effort but stayed at P17. Boya claims P2, while Câmara gets P1 with a lap time of 1:32.510. Unfortunately, Tsolov finishes at P21.
Racing Glory Awaits—Securing Pole Position
What a thrilling qualifying session, as Câmara secures his fifth pole position to extend his winning streak. Boya in P2, Taponen in P3, Xie in P4, Naël in P5, Wurz in P6, Badoer in P8, Giusti in P9, Wharton in P10, Hedley in P11, and Inthraphuvasak in P12 wrap up the top twelve.
A reminder about the sprint: the top 12 are reversed, and Tsolov needs to finish and place ahead of Câmara to challenge him for the Driver Standing Championship.