Formula 3: Stroll and Russell winners at rainy Spa

Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) and George Russell (HitechGP) are the winners of two Friday’s races of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. Both drivers clinched their wins after they started from pole positions, Stroll in Race 1, Russell in Race 2.

In the first race podium was completed by Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam) and Ben Barnicoat (HitechGP). In the second race, Joel Eriksson (Motopark) and Mikkel Jensen (Mücke Motorsport) finished second and third.

Safety car was leading F3 cars

17-year-old Lance Stroll scored his seventh victory of the season at the 7.004-km long famous Grand Prix circuit, in the race which was started behind the Safety car due to heavy rain. On lap six, the drivers finally started to drive at racing speed. The pole-sitter Stroll immediatelly ran away, followed by Günther.

Ben Barnicoat was fighting against Nick Cassidy for the third place but their positions remained unchanged. George Russell overtook Harrison Newy for the fifth place. On lap 10, Weiron Tan spun off and hit the tyre stacks, so the Safety car was deployed again and stayed on the track until the end of the race on lap 12.

Weather conditions were typical for Spa-Francorchamps

In the second race, driven in dry conditions, George Russell started from pole but he lost the lead from Joel Eriksoon. Russel was back in front on lap 6 and remained in the lead until the chequered flag. It was second win of the season the for 18-year old Briton. After 16 laps, Russell crossed the finish line 7.398 seconds ahead of Joel Eriksson. Mikkel Jensen was further second behind Eriksson.

Jensen inherited his position after Nikita Mazepin, who started third, stopped due to technical problem. Anthoine Hubert crossed the finish line in fourth place, ahead of from Callum Ilott and Pedro Piquet. For the Brazilian, sixth place was his best result of the season.

The winner of the first race and championship leader Lance Stroll didn’t score any point in the second race, after a puncture of the right rear tyre. Despite no points, he remains in the championship lead. One more race at Spa is scheduled for tomorrow.