Vesti takes victory as torrential rain cuts F3 race short

Frederik Vesti claimed his maiden FIA Formula 3 Championship victory after red flags ended the event early due to heavy rain at the Red Bull Ring.

The race began with a wet but drivable track with the Danish racer able to keep his lead from pole position whilst the others looked for the best view possible in the heavy spray.

The drama began on Lap 3 when Alex Smolyar in the ART spun into the barrier on the start-finish straight and the damage was bad enough to end his race and for the Virtual Safety Car to be deployed.

Vesti continued to lead from Lirim Zendeli, who had started brilliantly from sixth on the grid to make his way up to second, as his Trident team-mate David Beckmann languished behind him in third.

RelatedPosts

Motorsport Monday: Issue 474 FREE to read now

3 years ago

Doohan ends F3 campaign with victory in Sochi

4 years ago

Further back, a puncture from contact at the last turn saw Clement Novalak spinning off and brought out the Safety Car for the first time.

The race resumed at the end of Lap 11, which was the point when the final classification would take place, as incidents involving Roman Stanek and Sebastian Fernandez at separate parts of the circuit happened almost simultaneously, enough for the red flags to brought out on Lap 13 before the field toured into the pits.

Because less than 75 per cent of the race distance had been completed, only half-points were awarded. Therefore, Vesti achieved 17 points including the pole position championship points and half a point for the fastest lap. Zendeli got nine and Beckmann picked up 7.5.

Vesti is now a single point behind championship leader and PREMA team-mate Piastri going into tomorrow’s race but with the uncertainty as to when Formula 1 qualifying for the Styrian Grand Prix will begin, it could be that the second F3 race on Sunday morning may have to be sacrificed in favour of it.

Race 2 is scheduled for 08:45 BST on Sunday.