Bruno del Pino had victory ‘under control’ in the Formula 3 Sprint Race after a Red Flag caused the race to come to an early end in Melbourne.
Del Pino started on the reverse pole for the shorter F3 race with his teammate alongside him.
Unchallenged at the start, the VAR driver controlled the race comfortably until Louis Sharp and James Wharton collided. Which brought out a Red Flag.
With substantial damage to the barriers, the F3 session was ended early. After just a quarter of the race distance run. Del Pino spoke to Motorsport Week and other media outlets about the race, saying he felt he had it under control.
“The start was pretty clean, no issues there. I managed to create a gap quite quickly compared to the guys in the back. From there, it was quite an easy race towards the safety car.
“Just trying to put on the pace. Trying to save tyres as well, and then I saw that there was no DRS available. I tried to create a gap to get far away from the DRS, even though there was none, so it was also a bit easier towards me and from the rest of the drivers.”
“But I think before the safety car, it was all under control. I felt that even though I could continue like that, it was a pity the race ended this early.”
Focus despite a Red Flag
Despite wanting to continue, Del Pino recognised that safety should always come first.
“Of course, the health of the other drivers is more important, but yeah, it’s a nice way to start the season, even though it’s halfway through the points. I’m looking for the momentum towards tomorrow.” He said.
The crash between the two PREMA drivers was significant, and Del Pino said he expected a Red Flag the second he saw the incident.
“Going into T5 when I saw the crash, I didn’t know for sure it was going to be a red flag, but you can assume it because the crash was really, really big.”
Asked about his mindset during the Red Flag and whether it took away from the momentum, the VAR driver said he remained in the car so he could be ‘on it’ in case of a restart.
“Once we stopped the race, we were just waiting. I was sat in the car, just focused, because of course, I knew that there was going to be around 10 laps to go. So in case the race is resumed, you have to be on it.”
Despite taking the victory, Del Pino didn’t receive the full points for the win because they only completed 25% of the race distance; he received five points.
“It was just like, in a kind of way, it was like happiness, because in a kind of way, I won. But at the same time, you were a bit sad, because you didn’t get all the points that you wanted. Maybe, towards the end of the championship, those extra five points could have helped a lot.
“The main thing is driver safety. Both, I think, are fine. So that’s the most important. Of course, the points, if we continue like this, will come more.”
Hope for the Feature Race
Del Pino still has the Feature Race ahead of him, starting 12th on the grid. Starting in the middle of the pack comes with far more risk.
“P12 is not a place I wanted to start off, even though it made me be here today. Learning from the pace that we had today, I think we look quite capable of getting some good points tomorrow.” He said.
With a longer distance to race in the Feature Race, Del Pino explained that tyre strategy will play an important role in how the race pans out.
“Staying out of trouble is always the main key point for any race in F3. Tyre management as well is super important. Just trying to get a good first lap, trying to get in a good position. From there, battle on.
“Of course, staying out of trouble is also a key point. But if you have to be there, then just try to get on the right side of the trouble and tyre management towards the end. If there are no safety cars, then that’s where the tyres will make the difference.
“That’s where you can overtake or lose positions. So yeah, I think both are worth taking into account for tomorrow, and hopefully we can go to the right side of everything.”
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