Formula 3

Zendeli takes final pole of the season, Piastri only 11th

1 Mins read
Credit: FIA Formula 3

An incredibly tense and close FIA Formula 3 qualifying session at Mugello saw Lirim Zendeli take his second pole in three races while championship leader Oscar Piastri was only eleventh quickest.

The German Zendeli was in the top six after the first runs of the final qualifying of 2020 but he gathered his thoughts and produced the goods on his final run to edge out Logan Sargeant.

Sargeant was only four hundredths of a second off Zendeli’s pole time despite complaining of a very tail-happy car. However a three-place grid penalty from Monza will see the American start fifth.

There is also grid penalties for Piastri but his drop him all the way to sixteenth and behind all of the challengers. Sargeant will now be considered title favourite, providing he can keep his nose clean.

Jake Hughes will therefore join Zendeli on the front row having topped the morning’s practice session. He was on a very quick lap right at the end of the session but the lap time fell away in the final sector.

Frederik Vesti will start third but will be ruing a mistake on his first flying lap which saw him dip a wheel into the gravel at turn five. He is joined by Enzo Fittipaldi on row two as the Brazilian finally got his qualifying sorted for the final round.

Sebastián Fernández, who took the first pole of the year, was sixth fastest ahead of his ART teammate and third in the championship Théo Pourchaire who needs a big result tomorrow to keep his title hopes alive.

David Beckmann was fastest after the first runs but he was unable to find the same kind of improvement that his teammate found and was forced to settle for eight ahead of Dennis Hauger and Aleksandr Smolyar.

Pos.NameTeamLap Time
1Lirim ZendeliTrident1:35:328
2Logan Sargeant*PREMA1:35:362
3Jake HughesHWA Racelab1:35:453
4Frederik VestiPREMA1:35:548
5Enzo FittipaldiHWA Racelab1:35:561
6Sebastián FernándezART1:35:594
7Théo PourchaireART1:35:631
8David BeckmannTrident1:35:646
9Dennis HaugerHitech GP1:35:682
10Aleksandr SmolyarART1:35:693
11Oscar Piastri**PREMA1:35:699
12Jack DoohanHWA Racelab1:35:941
13Liam LawsonHitech GP1:35:999
14Richard VerschoorMP Motorsport1:36:043
15Alex PeroniCampos1:36:094
16Matteo NanniniJenzer1:36:135
17David SchumacherCarlin1:36:166
18Olli CaldwellTrident1:36:176
19Bent ViscaalMP Motorsport1:36:231
20Michael BelovCharouz1:36:319
21Federico MalvestitiJenzer1:36:364
22Lukas DunnerMP Motorsport1:36:477
23Clément Novalak**Carlin1:36:537
24Sophia FloerschCampos1:36:606
25Calan WilliamsJenzer1:36:853
26Roman StanekCharouz1:36:879
27Cameron DasCarlin1:37:571
28Alessio DeleddaCampos1:37:575
* = 3-place grid penalty; ** = 5-place grid penalty
Avatar photo
270 posts

About author
If it's got an engine, I've watched it race. F2 and F3 correspondent with a sprinkling of speedway here and there.
Articles
Related posts
Formula 1Formula 3

McLaren Sign Formula 3 Champion Bortoleto to their Driver Development Programme

1 Mins read
Brazilian racer Gabriel Bortoleto has joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme on the back of his Formula 3 championship winning season.
Formula 1Formula 2Formula 3Formula 4

Christian Horner Hints at ‘Thinning’ of Red Bull Junior Team at end of 2023 Season

1 Mins read
The Red Bull Junior Team, which brought through the likes of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, is likely to be reduced in number at the end of the 2023 season.
Formula 3

FIA F3: Mini Dominates the Sprint race as tire wear hits.

3 Mins read
Mini claimed victory, while Bortoleto secured the fastest lap. Bedrin’s career-best third added excitement to the podium.