Formula 3 is back on our screens for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. Racing in Melbourne for the season opener.
Formula 3 is entering a new era, having a brand-new car for the 2025 season. With days of testing behind these drivers, it will be interesting to see which teams have mastered this new challenge.
Early Chaos
Within the first minute of cars on the track, there is a virtual safety car for the drivers. After a lap, the safety car is pulled back in and drivers are free to set flying and explore laps.
All eyes are on the reigning GB3 champion, Louis Sharp, as he makes his Formula 3 debut this weekend. On his first flying lap, he set the pace with a 1:38:676, topping the timing sheets.
Elsewhere, Nicola Marinangeli locked up going into Turn 1, taking to the grass early in the day.
After a brief intermission of cars in the pits, Rodin motorsport driver Louis Sharp set the fastest time again with a 1.36.670.
Flying laps
Hitech has also been at the top for the vast majority of this session. With less than 30 minutes remaining in the session, Dufek and Stenshorne top the times. Dufek set a lap time of 1.36.384, with his teammate not far behind him.
Rafael Câmara sets the fastest time with 24 minutes to go. The Brazilian, who is racing with Trident, set a lap time of 1:34.901. Four-tenths quicker than those behind. With Trident being home to the past two Formula 3 champions, can Câmara make it 3 in a row?
Mari Boya, the most experienced driver in this championship, has demonstrated his potential this season. Setting purple sectors throughout his final sector, and putting himself in 3rd.
Hometown hero
Can James Wharton be the first Australian driver to get a podium or win at home in Melbourne? No hometown hero has stepped foot on the podium, however, with 3 Aussies in Formula 1 and Formula 3, this year is the countries best chances.
With seventeen minutes remaining, Wharton still has pace to find, being down in P26. However, his teammates have demonstrated the car does have the pace to do well. With Van Hoepen and Taponen sitting outside of the top 12.
Final laps
Entering the final ten minutes, PREMA has had a fairly quiet session, with the three drivers not in the top 12. The current top three was MP’s Tim Tramnitz, who set the fastest time of 1:34:892. Closely followed by Trident’s Câmara, who was 0.009 seconds behind him. With Boya being 0.016 seconds behind the Red Bull academy driver.
Câmara sets the fastest time with a 1:34.652, trading laps with Tim Tramnitz. The Brazilian driver looks to be one to beat
Louis Sharp stops on track between turns two and 3, with seemingly a mechanical failure. Red flagging the session with six minutes remaining. It was a strong debut session for the Kiwi driver, finishing the session down in sixteenth after setting flying laps earlier in this session.
The session will not be resumed; our fastest top three were Câmara, Tramnitz and Boya. With the hometown hero finishing down in twenty-ninth place.
Qualifying will be later today in Melbourne and will set the grid for Sunday’s F3 2025 Australian Grand Prix.
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Image Credit: Formula 3 via X