F3 EURO CHAMPIONSHIP

Following his third win at the 3.629 kilometres long Nürburgring sprint circuit and his twelfth victory of the season, Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam) was able to cheer really loudly: the 23-year-old is the new FIA Formula 3 European Champion. In a race dominated by four safety car interventions, he won from Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) and Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam). As Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), runner-up in the drivers’ standings, had already lost all his chances of a top position after a collision and the subsequent pit stop in the opening stages of the race and eventually didn’t score any points after finishing 13th, there is no way to prevent Rosenqvist from winning the FIA Formula 3 European Championship title.

From pole position, Felix Rosenqvist took the lead in the dash towards the first corner from Lance Stroll. Behind the two Prema drivers, Antonio Giovinazzi collided with Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport). The Dane retired on the spot, the Italian had to turn into the pits to have his car attended to. Thus, Rosenqvist’s fiercest rival in the battle for the title dropped back to the rear end of the field.

The next incident occurred on the third lap, involving Nicolas Pohler (Double R Racing), Alessio Lorandi (Van Amersfoort Racing) and Zhi Cong Li (Fortec Motorsports). To allow for Pohler’s damaged car to be removed, race control sent the safety car out. Racing resumed on lap seven. Three laps later, Sam MacLeod (Motopark) spun and Matt Rao (Fortec Motorsports) was unable to avoid the collision. While the second safety car intervention neutralised the racing again, Rosenqvist was still in the lead. At that time, Giovinazzi was back up in 22nd place already.

At the second restart, Felix Rosenqvist remained in front as well, but once again, it didn’t take long for the next incident to happen. Dorian Boccolacci (Signature) collided with Ryan Tveter (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) and had to park his car. The result: safety car intervention, the third. Shortly after the next restart, Alessio Lorandi and Tatiana Calderón (Carlin) collided and slid into the gravel trap at the last corner, which was the reason for the fourth safety car intervention. Eventually, the drivers were able to complete one lap at racing speed before the chequered flag was out. Felix Rosenqvist was first across the finish line from Lance Stroll, Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis (Prema Powerteam). Thus, Prema drivers locked out the first four positions. Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing), who had already secured himself the title of the best rookie yesterday, finished fifth in the 30th race of the season from Markus Pommer (Motopark), the best-placed German in the field. Santino Ferrucci (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Callum Ilott (Carlin), Sérgio Sette Câmara (Motopark) and George Russell (Carlin) rounded out the top ten. Russell, who had secured third place on the grid in qualifying, was dropped ten places due to an engine change. As a result, the Brit only started from 13th position.

Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam): “I am really happy to finally have won the title after so many years. I have been dreaming about this result for a long time and now it finally came true. This is the most important title in my career so far. The season has been fantastic, we were quick at every track. I was always certain that we would be able to make it, even though we sometimes had bad luck at the start of the season. This race wasn’t too difficult, because there were many safety car interventions during which we had some time to relax. The restarts all worked out well and I didn’t have any other problems either. I just tried to bring it home safely. Now, I am just happy with our result and proud of what we have achieved together.”

Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam): “First of all, congratulations to Felix for winning the title. Nobody deserves it more and in my first season in Formula 3, I have been able to learn a lot from him. I am also happy with my race. In the first corner, one of my rivals hit me, but I was lucky and I managed to stay on track. My pace was good throughout the race and I was able to keep up with Felix. I am really happy with my second place.”

Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam): “I want to congratulate Felix with his success as well, he has had a great season. Personally, I am happy with my second podium finish in only my second weekend of racing in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Today, I never had a real chance to attack Lance, but I can live with third place very well, too.