Callum Ilott wins at Red Bull Ring

British driver Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing) has won the tenth round of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season at the 4.326 kilometres long Red Bull Ring. Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) finished second from Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam) to extend his lead in the drivers’ standings. The race was stopped early after an accident involving Ryan Tveter (Carlin), Zhi Cong Li (Carlin) and Pedro Piquet (Van Amersfoort Racing).

Callum Ilott took the lead at the start, but had to defend his position from a charging Maximilian Günther. The two youngsters having battled for the lead on the opening lap, Ilott eventually came out in front before the safety car was deployed for the first time following an accident involving Ryan Tveter, Arjun Maini (ThreeBond with T-Sport) and Weiron Tan (Carlin) on the opening lap.

After the restart, Ilott stayed in front while both Stroll and Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) managed to overtake Günther, the German dropping back to fourth. A little bit later, however, Günther countered against Jensen and moved back up into the top three again. Meanwhile, Pedro Piquet had to come in from fifth place for a drive through penalty following a jump start and dropped back considerably. Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam) inherited fifth place.

On lap 17, the race was stopped after an accident involving Ryan Tveter, Zhi Cong Li and Pedro Piquet. Tveter had spun through the gravel trap and returned onto the track where Li, unable to see Tveter’s car due to the dust that was whirled up, hit the American’s race car almost at full speed. The upcoming Piquet was unable to avoid the two, but the Brazilian escaped unscathed. Tveter and Li incurred injuries and were taken to hospital for further examination. The race was stopped immediately.

Thus, Callum Ilott took victory from Lance Stroll, Maximilian Günther, Mikkel Jensen, George Russell (HitechGP), Nick Cassidy, David Beckmann (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Harrison Newey (Van Amersfoort Racing), Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam) and Ben Barnicoat (HitechGP). For Beckmann, the best-placed rookie who only drove his fourth Formula 3 race at the Red Bull Ring, this was his first top ten result while his fellow rookie driver Newey also scored his best result in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship to date by finishing eighth.

Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing): “I had a good start, but Maximilian was able to overtake me on the opening lap. After he had made a mistake, I managed to get past him again. Right after this overtaking move, the safety car was deployed. After the restart, I tried to pull a gap and to avoid any mistakes. Of course, this victory is a great result. However, it is even more important that Ryan, Zhi Cong and Pedro hopefully are okay.”

Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam): “First of all, I hope that Ryan, Pedro and Zhi Cong are okay after the accident. After the opening lap, I was third behind Callum and Maximilian, but then I was able to benefit from a mistake by Maximilian and take over second place. Then, I tried to stay within the white lines and safely bring second place home.”

Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam): “Of course, I am also hoping that Zhi Cong, Pedro and Ryan are all right. I had a good start, but I was having some issues with my car in the opening stages of the race. That also was the reason that I dropped back to fourth behind Lance and Mikkel. Later on, I overtook Mikkel again and thus, I was at least able to score a podium finish.”

 

Race 1

1^st – No. 6, Callum Ilott, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, 16 laps, 23:54.454

2^nd – No. 1, Lance Stroll, CAN, Prema Powerteam, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 3.472

3^rd – No. 17, Maximilian Günther, GER, Prema Powerteam, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 7.219

4^th – No. 7, Mikkel Jensen, DEN, Kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 10.679

5^th – No. 12, George Russell, GBR, HitechGP, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 14.222

6^th – No. 2, Nick Cassidy, NZL, Prema Powerteam, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 15.755

7^th – No. 8, David Beckmann*, GER, Kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 17.332

8^th – No. 20, Harrison Newey*, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 17.987

9^th – No. 16, Ralf Aron*, EST, Prema Powerteam, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 18.621

10^th – No. 24, Ben Barnicoat*, GBR, HitechGP, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 22.751

11^th – No. 4, Alessio Lorandi, ITA, Carlin, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 23.528

12^th – No. 21, Anthoine Hubert*, FRA, Van Amersfoort Racing, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 28.485

13^th – No. 9, Sergio Sette Camara, BRA, Motopark, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 28.948

14^th – No. 23, Guan Yu Zhou*, CHN, Motopark, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 29.466

15^th – No. 11, Nikita Mazepin*, RUS, HitechGP, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 30.331

16^th – No. 3, Ryan Tveter, USA, Carlin, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 31.173

17^th – No. 22, Joel Eriksson*, SWE, Motopark, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 34.136

18^th – No. 18, Zhi Cong Li, CHN, Carlin, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 36.082

19^th – No. 5, Pedro Piquet, BRA, Van Amersfoort Racing, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Gap: 36.924

20^th – No. 10, Niko Kari*, FIN, Motopark, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Gap: 43.530

 

Not Classified

No. 14, Arjun Maini, IND, Threebond with T-Sport, Dallara F312, ThreeBond, Lap 1

No. 19, Weiron Tan, MYS, Carlin, Dallara F312, Volkswagen, Lap 1

 

Fastest Lap

No. 6, Callum Ilott, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing, Dallara F312, Mercedes-Benz, Lap 16, 1:23.276, 187.012 kph

 

• Rookie