James Wharton celebrated his first victory in Formula 3 at the Austria Sprint Race, showcasing an exceptional performance to claim the top spot ahead of Alessandro Giusti, who also achieved his first podium finish.
Starting from pole position, Wharton maintained his lead amid a turbulent race that saw several incidents behind him. Ugo Ugochukwu rounded out the podium in third place, racing for Prema Racing.
From the outset, Wharton, alongside Giusti and Charlie Wurz—who was hoping to impress his home crowd—led the pack. Championship leader Rafael Camara began in sixth while Nikola Tsolov, who secured pole position for the feature race, was starting from 12th.
The race met early drama when the Safety Car was deployed on Lap 3 due to multiple collisions at Turn 3. As the race resumed on Lap 4, Tsolov quickly moved up the ranks, overtaking fellow drivers effectively. Meanwhile, Wharton held onto his lead against Giusti, who was applying significant pressure as they raced around the circuit.
Notably, on Lap 10, a fierce battle occurred between Tsolov and Camara, with Tsolov finally edging out his rival, who faced further setbacks as the race progressed. The race saw its second Safety Car deployment after an unfortunate collision between Wurz and another driver, marking a disappointing outcome for the home favorite who was in the mix for a podium finish.
As the race resumed for a final sprint, Wharton managed to pull away from the field, breaking the DRS barrier and securing his position. Despite a last-minute 10-second penalty for Ugochukwu for leaving the track, which affected his standing, he had previously shown solid potential throughout the race.
Wharton’s victory not only marks a significant achievement for him but is also a highlight for Australian motorsport, bringing home the first F3 win for an Australian driver in four years. Giusti’s consistent performances have placed him in contention with back-to-back podium finishes, while Tsolov’s impressive drive from 12th to 4th helps him in the ongoing championship struggle.
This race showcased the fierce competition and excitement within the Formula 3 circuit. The drivers are sure to carry the momentum from this event into the upcoming races, with fans eagerly anticipating more thrilling performances.