Lawson fends off Verschoor to clinch first F3 win in Austria

Liam Lawson battled brilliantly to claim his first FIA Formula 3 victory for Hitech Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.

The New Zealander started fifth before jumping up to third behind pole-sitter Clement Novalak and David Beckmann.

Beckmann enjoyed a brief spell in the lead after he boldly passed Novalak into Turn 4, though a few laps later he was overhauled by Red Bull junior Lawson, who remained in command thereafter.

Lawson’s run was interrupted by a Virtual Safety Car and a full Safety Car period.

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The first came when Alexander Peroni slowed and stopped on track due to a technical failure from his Campos-run car, with his sudden loss of speed catching out the pursuing Theo Pourchaire, who damaged his front wing.

The full Safety Car was then called when debutant Roman Stanek slid wide exiting the final corner and hit the DRS board, sending debris flying across the circuit.

It left Lawson with a two-lap sprint to the finish but he defended resiliently against Richard Verschoor, who had overtaking Beckmann around the outside of Turn 4 and then demoted Novalak with a move to claim second.

Macau Grand Prix winner Verschoor maintained second, in front of Novalak, while early leader Beckmann came home fourth.

Beckmann’s Trident team-mate Lirim Zendeli was fifth, ahead of Frederik Vesti, Alexander Smolyar and Race 1 winner Oscar Piastri, who rose from 10th to claim eighth, claiming the fastest lap points as well.

Enzo Fittipaldi and Max Fewtrell rounded out the top 10.

Elsewhere there were strong drivers from Jake Hughes as he climbed from 28th to 12th while Sebastian Fernandez rose from 30th to 13th.

The FIA Formula 3 Championship will be back racing at the same venue next weekend, part of the Styrian Grand Prix weekend.