PREMA Racing takes second place in race 1

It was another tough race for the FIA Formula 3 Championship at Hungaroring as the drivers lined-up on the grid for race 1 with a damp track following some earlier precipitations.

With all cars on slick tires expecting an improvement, things were tricky since the start, but PREMA Racing was ready to make the most out of the circumstances to take a podium finish.

Nonetheless, there was plenty of drama. At the first corner, Logan Sargeant, being the first to pass on the wet on the inside, was surprised by the lack of grip and went wide touching another car. Chaos ensued, with the team’s other two cars involved. Unfortunately, Dane Frederik Vesti was caught in the melee and forced to retire. On the other hand, having survived a huge hit, Aussie Oscar Piastri found his way to P2 before the safety car.

The re-start led to a red flag stoppage due to oil on the track, but Piastri and Sargeant continued to put up a solid pace finishing second and third respectively. After the completion of the race though, the latter was penalized 5 seconds for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage in turn 5, which demoted him to P6.

#1
OSCAR PIASTRI

“P2 from P6 is a very good result. Turn 1 was chaotic again, but I seem to get good results after chaotic turn ones! I had a little contact with maybe a little damage, but the pace when it was still wet was really strong, and even once it dried up we went quite as quick as the leader today. I’ll definitely take the points and look forward to race 2.”

Qualifying: P6
Race 1: P2
Fastest lap: 1:52.278
Fastest lap: 1:35″34

#2
FREDERIK VESTI

“It was a very short race for me. We had a very good start, but when we got to turn 1, it was quite wet on the inside. I had a little lock-up and the guys in front of me locked-up as well. We turned in and had a little contact, nothing major, but accelerating out of the corner a car spun and came across the track in front of me. We collided quite hard, and my car was damaged so I could not continue.”

Qualifying: P4
Race 1: DNF
Fastest lap: 1:52.228

#3
LOGAN SARGEANT

“It was for sure a pretty eventful and tricky race. I didn’t have a good feeling with the car today and not great pace either so we have to look at the data to analyze how to improve for tomorrow. Still, we got a good haul of points, all things considered.”

Qualifying: P2
Race 1: P6
Fastest lap: 1:51.206
Fastest lap: 1:35.411

Source | Photo: PREMA Racing