Podium Lock Out for Carlin in Monza

Carlin’s FIA Formula 3 European team locked out the podium in the first race of the weekend in Monza, Italy this morning.  Lando Norris claimed his second win of the season, following a close battle with team mate Jehan Daruvala who managed the first half of the race perfectly and came home in second place.  Ferdinand Habsburg drove superbly to take his first FIA Formula 3 podium in third.  Jake Dennis endured brake problems and flat spotted tyres to provide some of the most exciting racing of the day, before pitting on the penultimate lap with a brake issue and some contact damage.

The historic Monza circuit promised another thrilling race this morning, as the FIA F3 cars lined up for the first race of the weekend.  Sahara Force India Formula One team academy driver Daruvala started from pole, with McLaren-Honda junior Norris alongside in P2, Dennis starting third and Habsburg fifth.

As the lights went out, Daruvala made the perfect getaway, Dennis and Habsburg passed Norris in the run down to the chicane, with the F3 rookie fourth.  With all four Carlin cars in the top four, the team mates were fighting for position, with Norris taking third from Habsburg.  Dennis meanwhile was staying close to leader Daruvala, but the positions would change multiple times before the chequered flag.

Callum Ilott was the first driver to challenge the Carlin drivers, the Prema man was on the attack and pushing Habsburg for fourth, taking the position on lap three.  More changes were to come, Dennis took second from Norris, who in turn was then also passed by Ilott, but the F3 rookie took the place back a few moments later.  Habsburg was also soon attacking the Prema driver, the pair racing wheel to wheel for several corners.

Also at the front by now was Joel Eriksson, who passed Dennis for third, but the Carlin man isn’t one to lose positions easily and took third back.  The fight for the final podium spot would be one of the most closely fought of the race; a fight between Habsburg and Dennis allowed Eriksson to steal through into third.

With Daruvala still leading, Norris set off in pursuit, setting the fastest lap of the race as he tried to close the gap to his team mate.  Habsburg was fourth behind Eriksson, with Dennis behind him in fifth.  Somehow nursing a brake issue and badly flat spotted tyres, Dennis demonstrated a masterclass in defensive driving, defending first from Ilott, and later almost the entire Prema team, before contact from Gunther contributed to Dennis pitting and ultimately retiring from the race.

At the front, Norris had caught up with Daruvala and despite some good defensive moves from the young Indian, Norris found a way past to take the lead.  Behind them, Habsburg was putting Eriksson under plenty of pressure, the Motorpark driver ran wide, allowing the Carlin driver through into the final podium spot.

As the drivers started their final lap, Habsburg was still busy defending from Eriksson, but with a fantastic drive crossed the line to take third.  Norris meanwhile had taken the flag and his second victory in as many events, with Daruvala taking a superb second place and his best F3 finish to date.

Speaking about his race, Norris said, “There’s always going to be good racing in Monza although overtaking isn’t easy.  I didn’t get the best start, again! Which obviously put me back a bit but I kept my head down and tried to catch Jehan.  It was pretty tough, I managed to get my last corner pretty good and got in the slipstream for turn one and took the lead.  Overall it was a fantastic result for the team.  It feels great to have three of us up here.”

Team mate Daruvala added, “Obviously I have slightly mixed emotions about the race.  It was good starting from pole and I had a good start.  I built a gap to the other others behind me who were all fighting, I think it was up to two and half seconds.  Then Lando came within a second and a half and was catching me quickly.  He caught me and passed me into turn one, I tried staying with him, and had a few chances to attack him back but I think maybe today I was second quickest.  Thanks to the team for a good car.”

Completing the podium in third place was Habsburg who said, “We had a really good car, it’s a great result, starting fifth and finishing third, which is the kind of result possible at Monza.  I knew we had a good car and the podium was a possibility.  The tyres held on nicely and I just kept my head down.  Jehan and Lando were a bit up the road, I knew it was a long shot to try and catch them but anyhow I’m really happy to be on the podium with my team mates.  I hope to give them a better battle in the next race.”

A slightly disappointed Dennis added, “It was a pretty eventful race!  Obviously the end result isn’t what I wanted from my perspective, but a 1-2-3 for the team is great.  I feel like I contributed a bit to that, with all the defensive moves to keep the Prema cars behind me.  Struggled a bit with breaking and I think that’s what cost me a good result.  In the last couple of laps I was out of the points and with a big flat spot and a real brake issue it wasn’t worth carrying on and risking any damage.  We’re now focusing on second qualifying.”