Yamakoshi claims first F3 win in disrupted Monaco sprint race

Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd

Hiyu Yamakoshi marked FIA Formula 3’s return to action with a dominant display on the streets of Monte Carlo, claiming victory in the reversed-grid sprint race.

DAM’s Gerrard Xie claimed second ahead of Bruno Del Pino who rounded out the podium places following a disrupted race.

Yamakoshi led the field into Sainte Devote for the first time, converting his pole position into the race lead as the top five remained the same as the starting grid.

As the field headed into the Fairmont hairpin chaos erupted, with Tuukka Taponen steaming up the inside of Ernesto Rivera for eighth and the pair making contact. Behind them, the remainder of the field bunched up into the hairpin, with James Wharton, Bruno Badoer and Taito Kato running into the rear of one another. Badoer was eliminated on the spot along with Taponen, while Wharton and Kato both returned to the pits.

In avoidance, Brad Benavides moved to the outside only to be hit from behind by Christian Ho, the AIX Racing car sent airborne and left to rest on the top of the Rodin entry.

After a near half-hour stoppage racing resumed with a rolling start, Yamakoshi pulled clear as Pedro Clerot was forced to let Del Pino through for third after the Rodin driver cut the first corner on the opening lap.

With the race now running to time, 20 minutes remained as Xie began to fall away from race leader Yamakoshi, allowing his Del Pino to close to within three tenths of a second.

But, with 15 minutes remaining, the hairpin proved troublesome once more. This time Freddie Slater, Rivera and Theophile Nael all found themselves stuck. A late, optimistic move by Slater on Rivera saw the returning Campos driver spun round at the hairpin, with Nael helpless to avoid hitting the rear of Slater.

The safety car was required to recover Nael’s stricken Campos while Slater and Rivera were able to continue and join the rear of the field.

Thirteen minutes remained when the safety car was withdrawn, Yamakoshi once more extending his advantage over his rivals.

A brief stoppage to recover some debris from Slater’s front wing allowed Yamakoshi to all but seal the win, the Japanese driver pulling clear of Xie who was under increasing pressure from Del Pino behind.

With Xie focusing on behind, Yamakoshi was able to cross the line and comfortably claim his first F3 victory. Xie held off Del Pino for second while Clerot had to settle for fourth with Alessandro Guisti rounding out the top five.

Race results (18 laps)