Luke Browning could not convert his pole to the win. But it was Arvid Lindblad doing the double for the first time ever in F3 and GP3 history and at his home race, it wasn’t all straight forward with pit stops, airborne cars and British weather all coming into play.
At Lights Out
Piotr and Callum Voisin both starting on the dry tyre while the rest of the grid preferred wet weather tyres.
The eventual race winner Arvid Lindblad made a crucial race winning decision deciding to come into pit lane on formation lap to change to slicks along with several others including Gabriele Minì, Ramos, Geothe, Beganovic.
When lights went out Luke Browning had a great start, however this was short lived as the Safety car was deployed on lap 1 for Cian shields spinning around and stopping on the track.
The early safety car allowed Drivers to pit and to change to slicks as it was proving to be the tyre choice for race.
On the restart Browning had a great launch, Voisin who had started with slicks at the start was able to make places at almost every corner.
Safety Car on Lap Four
Another Safety car was deployed, Sophia Flörsch was tagged by Dino Beganovic causing her to go onto the grass spinning and ending her race. Beganvoic was avoiding Alex Dunne who went off but rejoined the track unsafely causing the Flörsch/Beganovic contact.
The rain returned after a handful of laps, leading to several drivers returning to the pits to change tyres.
Rodin driver Voisin received a penalty for leaving a track and gain advantage normally a 5 second but he was given a 10 second penalty. Voisin would ‘win’ the race, however the penalty relegated him to third place.
(Rodin have said that they are looking to appeal the penalty, keep an eye on our socials for updates)
The Safety car ended on Lap 7 and we went back to racing. Voisin on the start dropping down to 3rd as the track was too wet for slicks.
Another safety car was deployed on lap 9 due to a three car accident involving Dunne, Montoya and Dufek on the last corner before the main straight.
Halfway through the race
The weather and multiple incidents forced the race to become a timed event, with 13 minutes (plus 1 lap) given until the chequered flag.
Voisin had dropped down to 24th on the restart, however with the help of slicks he was able to carve through the field to seventh. The Rodin driver returned to the front of the pack and maintained the lead until the chequered flag.
Lindblad and Minì came from nowhere to be on the podium. They were the first drivers on the formation lap to pit for slicks, proving the gamble was a good call.
History is made in Formula 3
Across the line it was Voisin, Lindblad and Minì, with the time penalty Voisin dropped down to third and Arvid Lindblad makes history taking the double race win and at his home race. With Minì finishing second he is now tied for first in the championship with Browning.
The rest of the points positions it was Tommy Smith P4, Piotr Wiśnicki finishing P5, Oliver Goethe P6, Leonardo Fornaroli P7, championship contender Luke Browning P8, Nikita Bedrin P9, and Noel León taking the last of the points in tenth
Formula 3 is back at Hungary in 2 weeks time. For round 8 of 10 for the start of a double header.
FEATURE IMAGE: Prema Racing