Race 2: Piquet's final glory
Nelson Piquet Jr gave his 2004 championship victory an extra coat of sugar by winning the final round of the series at Brands Hatch on Sunday
It could have been a double for Piquet, for he had the speed in the first race to get past eventual victor James Rossiter. But the Brazilian played it safe and opted for second spot and the points necessary to secure the title.
But in the second race with the title sewn up Piquet went all out for victory to sign his name on the last race of the season.
Polesitter Clivio Piccione got off the start well and went into an early lead, eking out a 1.5s advantage at one point over Piquet Jr. But the newly-crowned champ began to rein him in, with nothing to lose the Brazilian was going to try everything he could to get past.
The moment arrived on lap 10 as Piccione made a mistake going into the Graham Hill bend. Piquet got alongside hi on the back straight, but Piccione moved across and clipped the Brazilian's front wing endplate. Piquet emerged with some damage to his car, but was able to carry on in the top spot. Piccione picked up a puncture, though, and was forced to pit for a new tyre.
Winner of race one James Rossiter had to make do with the runners-up slot this timeout. The Briton moved up from fourth on the grid going into the first corner, but following Piccione's demise was promoted to second.
Behind him a battle was ensuing between Lucas di Grassi and former title contender Adam Carroll. The Briton looked the quicker of the two, but was unable to make a move on the Brazilian and had to settle for fourth.
Nelson A Piquet Dallara-Mugen-Honda 22m00.574s
James Rossiter Dallara-Opel Spiess +9.696s
Lucas Di-Grassi Dallara-Renault Sodemo +10.018s
Adam Carroll Dallara-Mugen-Honda +10.307
How F2 and F3's flawed format changes could prove shortlived
After a chaotic 2020, marred by the coronavirus pandemic, the FIA brought in radical changes to Formula 2 and 3. But less than 12 months later, there are talks of them being reversed after all did not go to plan…
How the latest 'son of' youngster found his feet in F3
After a promising start to his single-seater racing career, life in the Formula 1 feeder series gave Jack Doohan a reality check. But, following a year of learning and toiling, the driver with one of the most famous surnames on the Formula 3 grid isn’t feeling the weight of expectation pushing down too hard on him any longer
The Monaco win that started another triple crown
30 years ago, victory in the Monaco Grand Prix-supporting Formula 3 race – then a showpiece invitational event – began a young Jorg Muller’s pursuit of a unique set of street circuit wins that he’d later complete at Macau and Pau
How two F3 stars face new challenges from very different perspectives
ART Grand Prix team-mates Frederik Vesti and Juan Manuel Correa's paths to the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship grid couldn’t have been further apart, but both are using the same focus for different goals
Why Correa's return is the feelgood story racing needed
Juan Manuel Correa has had a long road to recovery from that horrific day at Spa in 2019. ART's decision to give him his race return in FIA Formula 3 in 2021 is a victory in itself, but his determination will surely - in time - have him fighting for bigger things
Why Piastri's F3 title was better than results suggested
F3 rookie Oscar Piastri only just snatched the 2020 title with Prema Racing, but the setbacks he overcame to do so suggest that Renault's next Australian talent is one destined for the top
The ground-effect wonder behind a generation of F1 stars
Recently named as Autosport's greatest single-seater, Ralt's RT3 launched a plethora of superstar drivers through the early 1980s, and established the constructor as the go-to place for your single-seater weapon
The Macau GP's greatest moments
Coronavirus restrictions mean this weekend's Macau GP will have a very different feel, with the usual F3 jamboree replaced by Chinese F4. But in past years, the event has provided some seminal moments in the careers of future world champions
