Spa British F3: Giovinazzi fends off Mardenborough for wet win
Antonio Giovinazzi kept his composure to score an excellent win in the third British Formula 3 International Series race of the weekend at Spa
On a wet track, the Italian leapt from fourth on the grid to lead into the opening corner, while Jann Mardenborough also leapfrogged the front-row starting Nicholas Latifi and Jordan King.
Giovinazzi kept Mardenborough under control in the early stages, as heavy rain made conditions treacherous.
When the rain stopped again, Mardenborough closed to within seven tenths and tried for the lead on lap eight, but a spin at the S-bend after Pouhon dropped the Welshman back.
Once again Mardenborough tried to claw the gap back to Giovinazzi, but the Double R Racing man held on to score his second British F3 win, and his first in a non-reversed-grid race.
As he slowed to celebrate his victory, he was then hit by Mardenborough after the finish line!
NEWS UPDATE: Mardenborough punished for finish-line clash
Appropriately, Giovinazzi was presented with his trophy by Double R's 2006 British F3 race-winner Bruno Senna.
King applied pressure to Latifi for third. When the Canadian made an error under braking for the Bus Stop, the Englishman was able to take the position into Eau Rouge on the final lap.
Felipe Guimaraes shadowed them in fifth, with Sean Gelael behind him before a spin dropped him to eighth, behind Tatiana Calderon and Will Buller.
Championship leader Buller started last after his car would not get away on the green-flag lap, and then took a drive-through penalty because mechanics were working on his car on the grid after the 30-second signal.
Sun Zheng completed a Spa treble by sweeping to a comfortable National Class win.
Results - 12 laps: Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Antonio Giovinazzi Double R Dallara-Merc 32m19.360s 2. Jann Mardenborough Carlin Dallara-VW +2.594s 3. Jordan King Carlin Dallara-VW +10.624s 4. Nicholas Latifi Carlin Dallara-VW +12.762s 5. Felipe Guimaraes Fortec Dallara-Merc +14.250s 6. Tatiana Calderon Double R Dallara-Merc +22.985s 7. Will Buller Fortec Dallara-Merc +24.270s 8. Sean Gelael Double R Dallara-Merc +27.007s 9. Sun Zheng CF Dallara-Mugen +58.027s 10. Jordan Oon West-Tec Dallara-Toyota +1m13.205s 11. Chris Vlok West-Tec Dallara-Toyota +1m29.205s
About this article
| Series | FIA F3 |
| Author | Marcus Simmons |
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