Stromsted scores dominant first F3 win in Spa sprint race

Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd

Mercedes Formula 1 junior Noah Stromsted scored his first FIA Formula 3 win by a commanding margin in the Spa-Francorchamps sprint race.

Freddie Slater, starting just his third race in the championship, had reversed-grid pole and retained the lead at the start ahead of fellow front row starter Stromsted.

Trident driver Stromsted kept the pressure on and passed the Hitech driver for the lead at Les Combes on lap three, and pulled away into the distance.

Stromsted ultimately took victory by six seconds over Ugo Ugochukwu, who charged from seventh on the grid to claim his maiden podium.

The Prema-run McLaren junior had already climbed up to third by lap four past Charlie Wurz, and took second away from Slater three laps later.

Slater’s hopes of a second sprint race podium in as many F3 outings were ended when Trident’s Wurz came past him for third a lap later.

He was then swallowed on the following tour by Martinius Stenshorne, Nikola Tsolov and Rafael Camara having run wide in Eau Rouge while battling the trio.

Relative to his team-mates, championship leader Camara had a cautious start to the race from 11th on the grid and ran off track at Les Combes on the opening lap, but managed to follow championship rival Tsolov through the order later on.

Both would overtake Stenshorne to climb into fourth and fifth but couldn’t deny Wurz his maiden F3 podium.

Race results (12 laps)