Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix: F3 Sprint Results

F3 heads to Imola for the third round of its 2024 season with a safety car-filled Sprint Race.

The F3 spring break concludes with 30 drivers returning for the third round of the season. Qualifying was packed with action throughout the order.

All three of Trident’s drivers had a dream start to the weekend, with Santiago Ramos securing his maiden F3 pole position and his teammates Leonardo Fornaroli, and Sami Meguetounif rounding out the top three.

For F3’s Saturday’s Sprint, the top 12 will be reversed, meaning Kacper Sztuka will be starting on reverse pole.

Following yesterday’s qualifying, Alex Dunne, who had slotted into 5th, has since been disqualified after it was found that the anti-roll bar links located at the front of his car did not comply with technical regulations. This disqualification sends the Irishman to the pit lane for both races in Imola, turning an incredible qualification session into disappointment for Dunne.

How it unfolded

The cars set about for the formation lap, however, Inthraphuvasak stalled on the grid and the AIX Racing driver had to retreat to the pits for the start of the race.

When the lights went out, Sztuka had a great launch from the start line, leading into the first corner. However, León in second shot ahead and grabbed first position.

The safety car was deployed after Mari Boya was involved with contact at the Villeneuve Chicane. Boya, who had been struggling all weekend, retires from the race on just the first lap.

When the restart came on lap 4, Leon shot ahead early, catching some drivers off guard. Sztuka had slipped down the order and was now running in fourth with Tramnitz and Goethe now running up in the top three.

Browning just behind Sztuka was within DRS range and was looking to hunt down the Red Bull junior. Whilst this unfolded, up at the front León clocked in the fastest lap and was running 1.317 seconds ahead.

Chaos ensues

Just a lap later, the safety car was deployed again after Voisin was tagged on his left-rear by Charlie Wurz and slid off into the barriers, he was forced to retire from the race. Wurz was handed a ten second penalty for the incident.

As the safety car was ending, Tommy Smith was also handed a ten second penalty after causing a collision with Boya earlier on.

The field gathered up and León brought them to the start finish line before darting off. However, this time round, León was under pressure with Tramnitz and Goethe right at the tail of his VAR car. Amidst all the racing up front, Meguetounif was caught out by the braking zone, having to slow down to make sure he didn’t hit Beganovic, however, in doing so slid off into the gravel and brought out the races third safety car.

More safety car havoc

For the third restart, León once again darted away, this time, no rivals were within attacking distance of him and he had a great getaway. Dunne who had a difficult start to the race with his disqualification was up ten positions and was fighting in 20th – an incredible recovery from the Irishman.

Gabriel Minì made an excellent overtake at the Villeneuve Chicane against Laurent Van Hoepen, with the Italian grabbing seventh place. The fourth safety car was brought out after Inthraphuvasak slid off in sector three, however, he was able to recover and head to the pits. With four laps remaining, León was still ahead, with Goethe running up behind him and Tramnitz rounding out the top three.

Sztuka was in a tight battle with Beganovic, Browning and Mini all hungry for his fourth position. Sunday’s pole position, Ramos, ran wide and onto the gravel, dropping out of the points.

Browning was looking to grab the fourth place, however, was hit and ran onto the gravel. The championship leader was forced to retire on the last lap, after running a strong race.

The virtual safety car was deployed on the final lap, and with a couple of corners left, the VSC was brought in. Unlike the other four times, León was caught off guard with Goethe grabbing the race lead from him. He crossed the line and stole the race win from the VAR driver. However, this didn’t last long as he was handed a five second penalty and León’s win was reinstated.

The top 10

1 – León

2 – Goethe

3 – Tramnitz

4 – Beganovic

5 – Sztuka

6 – Mini

7 – Van Hoepen

8 – Lindblad

9 – Bedrin

10 – Ramos

Full results can be found here.

Featured image credits: @Formula3 on X