Felix Rosenqvist moved closer to the FIA European Formula 3 Championship title as he dominated the opening race of the Nurburgring weekend on Saturday.
Prema Powerteam driver Rosenqvist got a near perfect start, and was untroubled throughout the race, beating team-mate Nick Cassidy to the flag by 6.491s.
Cassidy was initially challenged by Callum Ilott of Carlin, but the Briton settled for third behind the Kiwi driver, with both driver securing their maiden podium finishes in the series.
A long way back in fourth was Charles Leclerc, who held off a gaggle of cars throughout the race after suffering damage to his front wing earlier in the race, with the Van Amersfoort Racing driver holding back the challenge of Mücke Motorsport’s Mikkel Jensen and Motopark’s Markus Pommer until the flag.
Santino Ferrucci of Mücke Motorsport was also on the tail of Leclerc, finishing seventh after making a good start from outside the top ten, with Arjun Maini eighth for Van Amersfoort Racing.
Canadian Lance Stroll was ninth for Prema Powerteam ahead of Antonio Giovinazzi, who could only secure the solitary point on offer for tenth after fighting past Motopark’s Sergio Sette Camara earlier in the race. Giovinazzi’s tenth place coupled with Rosenqvist’s victory means the lead in the championship has extended to 58.5 points.
Jake Dennis had a disappointing race, with the Prema Powerteam retiring early after suffering damage on the opening lap to his front wing, and then pulling into the pits while running in thirty-third and last place.
Nurburgring Race 1 Result
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