Formula 3: Maiden victory for rookie Joel Eriksson

Joel Eriksson (Motopark) is the winner of the third race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship today at Spa-Francorchamps. For the 18-year-old Formula 3 rookie and last year’s ADAC F4 runner-up it was maiden F3 victory in seven rounds of 2016 season. Eriksson is tenth different winner in 21 races.

Eriksson started from the front row, next to the pole-sitter George Russell (HitechGP), who had a bad start and dropped in the middle of the field whole Eriksson took the lead. He remained in front until the chequered flag after 16 laps. The race had no interruptions. Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing), who started from fifth, jumped to the second place on the opening lap and managed to defend his podium position.

Nikita Mazepin was third after the start, but on Lap 2 he lost the place from Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam), who started ninth. The championship leader had an podium place until last few laps. George Russell made the significant progress through the field and in the closing laps he was fighting for P3 against Stroll. They changed positions few times, at the end Russell was faster.