Vesti takes first pole as red flags litter qualifying

Dane Frederik Vesti kept his cool in searing Austrian heat to take a last ditch pole position as red flags halted FIA Formula 3’s qualifying session at the Styrian Grand Prix.

The PREMA driver had gone quickest just before the session’s second red flag (caused by Igor Fraga’s Charouz grinding to a halt) but had that time removed for track limits. But he remained calm and was able to go fastest with his final lap.

His teammates also showed impressive pace as reigning champions with Logan Sargeant and Oscar Piastri locking out row two behind David Beckmann who also improved late on.

As did the lead ART of Théo Pourchaire in fifth, his Spanish teammate and pole-sitter from last week’s race Sebastián Fernández was top after the first runs but then beached his car in the turn seven gravel trap.

Continuing their good form from round one, Lirim Zendeli and Alex Peroni came sixth and seventh as everyone rushed to improve upon the final resumption ahead of Brit Olli Caldwell who had his best qualifying in F3.

Fernández’s early time was good enough to qualify ninth, although largely thanks to Fraga’s breakdown with the Spaniard edging Liam Lawson.