Race Report

Formula 1 Grosser Preis von Oesterreich 2019
FIA F3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Circuit: RedBull Ring (A), Length 4,326 km, 28^th - 30^th June 2019, Rounds 5 & 6
www.projekt-spielberg.com

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2019:
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN), Andreas Estner (D) and Giorgio Carrara (ARG)

Chasing positions at the RedBull Ring

The 2019 FIA F3 circus met up for the third event of the season as they ran as part of the Formula One programme at the Grosser Preis von Oesterreich 2019, held at the spectacular RedBull Ring Circuit. It was very obvious after Free Practice and Qualifying just how close the competition is within the highly competitive FIA F3 field.

Race One Qualifying

Friday, 28/06/19, 17.50 – 18.20, Weather: Sunny, 28°C

For this race, Giorgio Carrara, who has been driving in our FIA Formula 4 team since 2017, joined our drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Andreas Estner. Giorgio jumped in at the deep end, because this was his very first encounter with this powerful FIA F3 racing machine. Yuki had never driven this track before, and Andreas had to sit out a great part of the session, in which everyone else was improving, because of a technical defect. Yuki finished 21^st 0.831 seconds back off pole, Giorgio was 24^th and Andreas 29^th.

At 17.50 the qualifying session started and it was still hot. The big field were straight on it and the lap times constantly improved, but five minutes before the end Sargeant came off the track and the session was stopped so he could be recovered. In the closing moments several more drivers managed to improve. Giorgio was best of our drivers and he claimed 22^nd place. His time was 0.876 seconds off the pole time. Yuki could not repeat his morning time and finished in 27^th place and Andreas made it to 29^th.

FIA F3 Championship

Race One (40 Minutes)

Saturday, 29/06/19, 10.25, Weather: Sunny, 23°C

Yuki got a good start and immediately gained a few places. Then he got a bit over-optimistic, and in an attack that he attempted up the inside of the bend he made contact with another vehicle. As a result, the other driver spun off and lost a few places, while Yuki was handed a five-second time penalty for his actions. Although he continued to shine, carrying out some good overtaking manoeuvres that saw him get up to 13^th place. He ended up being relegated to 16^th in the end after the time penalty was applied, which was a shame. Andreas also started well and managed to work his way up to 23^rd place during the very fast paced, demanding race. Giorgio managed his first start in the powerful, state-of-the-art race car well, but soon after he was hit from behind, leaving him with a flat rear tyre. Giorgio pitted for a new tyre and then returned to the track to finish the race, setting some very good lap times, and getting used to the use of DRS as well. Giorgio finished his first race in this category in 28^th place.

The grid for the second race of the weekend was set by reversing the order of the first eight finishers in the first race, with the rest of the places set according to finishing order in the first race.

FIA F3 Championship

Race Two (40 Minutes)

Sunday, 29/06/19, 09.35, Weather: Sunny, 24°C

Yuki got a great first lap and overtook several cars, moving forward all the time until he was 11th. In the restart after a Virtual Safety Car phase, Yuki managed to surprise the man in front and snatched 10^th place. A few laps later on Yuki had the next competitor in his sights. His attack seemed to work, but at the last moment Verschoor pulled to the side and rammed Yuki off the track. Several drivers slipped past while Yuki was able to slot back in, and he did manage to work his way back up to 11^th place once again. Verschoor was awarded a time penalty, but this was no help to Yuki, because the points that had been within reach were no longer possible. Giorgio and Andreas drove an exciting race and fought for positions together, overtaking each other a couple of times, before Andreas crossed the finish line in 20^th place and Giorgio came home in 21^st just behind him.

We look forward to the next race which will be held at Silverstone (GB) on the weekend of 14^th July 2019.

Championship standings after 6 out of 18 races:

1^st Robert Shwartzman (RUS), 90 points; 2^nd Jehan Daruvala (IND), 82 points; 3^rd Juri Vips (EST), 63 points; 4^th Marcus Armstrong (NZ), 54 points; 5^th Max Fewtrell (GB), 37 points; 6^th Pedro Piquet (BRA), 35 points; 13^th Yuki Tsunoda (JPN), 9 points

Yuki Tsunoda (JAP)

Andreas Estner (D)

Giorgio Carrara (CH)

© Photo Pellegrini

2019 FIA F3 Championship

For more information:

• www.fiaformula3.com
• www.italiaracing.net