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The championship fight comes down to the final race, with four drivers in contention who grabbed the title in Italy?
Formula 3 heads to Monza for its 10th and final round of the 2024 season. The Championship title goes down to the final race with four drivers in contention: Leonardo Fornaroli, Luke Browning, Gabriele Mini and Arvid Lindblad all fighting for victory.
The weekend started stellar for Fornaroli who grabbed pole position for Sunday’s Feature Race with Alex Dunne and Mini starting in the top three positions. Tim Tramnitz secured his maiden Sprint Race victory in a tense 18-lap shootout.
How we'll grid up for the title decider ?? #F3 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/LUQN0zxbPz
— Formula 3 (@Formula3) August 31, 2024
Lights out
The five lights went out for the final time and Fornaroli shot off the line with an excellent start heading into the chicane. Dunne was sticking close behind, following the Trident closely before overtaking the Italian at the Parabolica.
LAP 3 / 22
A DISASTER FOR CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER LUKE BROWNING! ???
He's involved in a tangle at the Ascari chicane and has to pit for a new front wing, rejoining down in 26th
? SAFETY CAR ? #F3 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/KErAnTN1BG
— Formula 3 (@Formula3) September 1, 2024
It was heartbreak for Browning who was involved in an incident, causing damage to his Hitech, though the Briton was able to get his car back up and running, his fight for the championship was over.
The safety car was brought in at the end of lap 7 and as racing action resumed, Mini was overtaken by Mansell, putting two cars between himself and Fornaroli.
Disaster continued as Fornaroli runs off the Ascari chicane and dropped down from second to fifth – a dramatic twist.
LAP 8 / 22
PIVOTAL!!!
Leo gets past Mini on the run to Ascari to put himself P4 and in a position to win the title again! #F3 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/0pibBtI5BH
— Formula 3 (@Formula3) September 1, 2024
A tense battle
Mini looking to defend, ran off the circuit and onto the grass, however, was able to maintain his position for another corner before Fornaroli grabbed the position from the Prema racer.
With all the drama, Sami Megeutounif was leading the Grand Prix on lap 10.
With only eight laps remaining, Mini was sitting behind Fornaroli waiting for the right moment to pounce on the Trident. Lindblad who started from 17th had worked his way up
Browning made an impressive comeback, making up several positions, running in 16th on lap 15. Lindblad the other contender who started in 17th, had made his way up to 13th. Santiago Ramos spun off, however, was able to keep the car running with no major impact to his Trident, he dropped down to 22nd.
Fornaroli makes a move on Mansell for second, but locks up making the move, though he was able to keep his position, the flat spot on his tyres was becoming a problem as the Italian locked up a couple of corners later.
The driver standing in Mini’s way was Mansell and by the end of the lap, the Prema driver made the move up into third. Fornaroli was struggling more and more, locking up as he tried to defend against Mini.
The move for the position came at the chicane with two laps to go, Mini grabbed the position with Mansell following the Italian and seeing Fornaroli dropping to fourth.
LAP 22 / 22
LEONARDO FORNAROLI AT THE FINAL CORNER! HE GETS UP THE INSIDE OF CHRISTIAN MANSELL AT THE PARABOLICA!!! #F3 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/weiuSk6k9h
— Formula 3 (@Formula3) September 1, 2024
However, for Mini to take the championship he needed Mansell to separate the pair of Italian’s and it was looking like Mini could secure the championship but the twist came on the final corner. Fornaroli grabbed third from Mansell, securing the title after a tight and intense battle between himself and Mini.
The top 12
1 – Megeutounif
2 – Mini
3 – Fornaroli
4 – Mansell
5 – Dunne
6 -Stenshorne
7 – Tramnitz
8 – Leon
9 – Van Hoepen
10 – Beganovic
11 – Dufek
12 – Inthroaphuvasak
Feature image credits: Formula 3 on X