With a lights-to-flag victory at the 2.76 kilometres long street circuit of Pau, George Russell (HitechGP) scored his first FIA Formula 3 European Championship race win of the 2016 season. Thus, the Brit also secured the third race win in a row for his team HitechGP. Behind Russell, Sérgio Sette Câmara (Motopark) and Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing) finished in second and third place respectively. In the drivers’ standings, Maxililian Günther (Prema Powerteam) remains on top, although the German failed to score any points in this race.  

On a partly wet, partly dry track, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship field started into the second race of the weekend at Pau. Starting from pole position, George Russell took the lead from Sérgio Sette Câmara and Alessio Lorandi (Carlin). Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam) and Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam) slightly tangled on the first few metres already, but were able to continue. On lap four, however, the New Zealander had to turn into the pits with a puncture and dropped back to the end of the field. At the end of lap eight, Alessio Lorandi was the next one to make a pit stop due to a puncture after he had made contact with the Armco barriers. Thus, the Italian lost his third place to Callum Ilott.

After Pedro Piquet (Van Amersfoort Racing) had crashed into the barriers on lap 13, the safety car was deployed. After the restart, Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing), the only Frenchman in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship field, overtook Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) in an audacious move and claimed seventh place. Two laps later, Harrison Newey (Van Amersfoort Racing) crashed into the barriers, prompting another safety car intervention. After this restart, George Russell again remained in front and safely brought this position home.  Behind him, Sérgio Sette Câmara scored his first podium finish of the season from Callum Ilott, Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam), Ben Barnicoat (HitechGP), Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam), Anthoine Hubert, Mikkel Jensen, Joel Eriksson (Motopark) and Arjun Maini (ThreeBond with T-Sport). The Indian, the only driver in the field to use a Neil Brown Engineering engine, thus scored his first point in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings.

George Russell (HitechGP): “So far, I have had quite a lot of bad luck this season and prior to this race, I was only tenth in the drivers’ standings. However, I knew that we have a fast car and a good team spirit. In yesterday’s qualifying, I was already fastest and today, I drove a good race. I already moved into the lead at the start and the two restarts after the safety car interventions weren’t bad either. I am really happy with my first win of the year and the third one in a row for my team HitechGP. This certainly isn’t the last one.”

Sérgio Sette Câmara (Motopark): “My start into the season was anything but good, but here at Pau, I am finally having a good weekend. In qualifying, I was able to show that I can be quick on a wet track, too, and in the race, I also made a good start. After that, George was faster, but I am also happy with second place.”

Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing): “At the start, I had the misfortune of starting from the wet side. In the race, my speed then was really good and I am happy having scored a podium finish.”