Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
There was chaos going into the final corners in FIA Formula 3 qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps, but drivers are not worrying about a repeat at Monza.
One driver was penalised, and another investigated, for impeding others at the end of the lap at Spa. At the heart of the issue was drivers remaining on the racing line when slowing, usually to create space in front of them before a flying lap, and it causing a ripple effect as those behind tried doing the same. Others tried passing, but found themselves impeded.
“It’s been like that in Spa-Francorchamps for quite some time in qualifying,” Prema’s title contender Dino Beganovic told media including Formula Scout.
“I’m sure there’s something that can be done better in terms of, I don’t know, just putting a yellow flag in the last sector, not being able to overtake the other cars ahead. So you keep the position on track. Then of course the cars in front cannot go too slow as well, because it can compromise, and we can get the chequered flag before you cross the line. So it’s not an easy point.”
He was convinced F3 was already investigating rule-based solutions to address the matter, and the championship has since decided to split the field into two groups of 15 for qualifying at Monza.
Beganovic’s team-mate and title rival Gabriele Mini was light on his ideas on how the bunching up effect could be minimised into Monza’s final Parabolica hairpin, believing “it’s not going to be easy to solve” given it is such an issue at the longer Spa track:
“If you put it from a driver perspective, everybody wants to have that tow. The first guy is going to wait, and if nobody overtakes him, he’s going to wait even more. The second guy doesn’t want to overtake him. And then it’s 30 cars on track at the same time. All in a group of one corner.”
Van Amersfoort Racing’s Noel Leon found clean air at Spa, helping him qualify ahead of the Prema pair in fifth.
“Looking back, I think we need to put a minimum laptime [delta] during the runs or something, so that then you cannot stop in the last part of the track,” he said. “It’s super difficult [with 30 cars].”
Formula Scout asked Prema’s drivers if they thought last corner qualifying drama in this weekend’s season finale could impact their title chances.
“It can make it a bit more difficult, but it can also give an opportunity as well,” Beganovic replied. “We just need to choose the right one and also do the right calls.”
“I’m not really concerned,” added Mini. “It’s not something you can plan before or think about. So there’s no point to lose your energy on it. We are just going to qualifying knowing that we have to try and get a tow if possible. If not, just go by yourself and then we see how it goes.”
Interviews by Alejandro Alonso Lopez