Formula 3 Euro: Charles Leclerc from sixth to win in Race 1 at Spa
Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing) wins the Race 1 of Formula 3 European Championship today at Spa-Francorchamps. 17-years old driver from Monaco started from sixth position and after 16 laps triumphed ahead Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam) and Alexander Albon (Signature). With this win, his third in 2015 season, Leclerc takes the lead in championship because previous leader Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) didn’t finish the race.
Giovinazzi was the most tragic figure of the race. He was leading until Lap 14 but after duel with Rosenqvist he earned the puncture and retired. He lost not only the win in the race but also first place in the championship. Giovinazzi had a fantastic start from third position and jumped to lead but Rosenqvist attacked him in Lap 2 and retook the lead. Giovinazzi’s attack in Lap 7 resulted with his leadership but in Lap 14, as we said, he lost everything.
Charles Leclerc was third until duel of Giovinazzi and Rosenqvist which changed the order. He took the present and went to the finish as the winner. Third podium place is earned by Alexander Albon, who also had a great race starting from seventh place. At the start he lost one position but after that lap by lap he has won duels with rivals and progressed to the top.
Fourth placed Santino Ferrucci (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) also progressed four places from starting 8th position and finished ahead Jake Dennis (Prema Powerteam) who didn’t capitalize his second starting place. Other drivers in Top 10 are George Russell (Carlin), Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Pietro Fittipaldi (Fortec Motorsport), Fabian Schiller (Team Wets-Tec) and Alessio Lorandi (Van Amersfoort Racing). Schiller and Lorandi earned points despite started from 19th and 25th position.
Race was full of duels and overtaking, with no major inccidents. It looks like everybody forgets disgraceful race at Monza and instead dirty fights we have proper racing. We hope that the other two F3 races at Spa will be the same.
