PREMA Racing captures 2022 FIA Formula 3 Team Title
PREMA Racing added another title to its extraordinary F3 history today at Monza by winning the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Team Championship. The race outcome itself was bittersweet, as a late red flag and the following decision not to restart the race cost Ollie Bearman a shot at the driver title, but the team still took a double podium finish to secure the title and end the season on a positive note on the home venue.
The British Ferrari Driver Academy racer eventually ended up second after putting up a bold recovery from the early stages. He soon started to challenge for the podium positions and for the lead, which even came down to contact. Bearman finished third in the driver championship, only seven points away from P1. Red Bull Junior Jak Crawford took advantage of two late penalties and a good start to take P3 despite some late tyre woes.
Arthur Leclerc had a difficult run with contact in the middle of the race being the limiting factor. The Monegasque moved up to P5 in the race in the end and finished the championship in P6.
#4 ARTHUR LECLERC
“Really difficult finish to the season. I managed to take a good start and we had a good pace but in the end, contact in the middle of the race cost us quite a lot of positions. Unfortunately, the race was over after that. I could come back a few spots, but the finish on the red flag didn’t help. Not an easy season for me but I’m happy for PREMA winning the Team Championship.”
Qualifying: P5
Starting position Race 1: P8
Starting position Race 2: P5
Fastest lap: 1:37.945
Race 1: P8
Race 2: P5
#5 JAK CRAWFORD
“It was an okay race. I just made a position when others were crashing. I had a good speed at the beginning but had a lot of tyre degradation, and I made my way back. In the end, I got lucky with penalties to get on the podium. I’m really happy for the team, we were fast all year long and definitely deserved it.”
Qualifying: P8
Starting position Race 1: P5
Starting position Race 2: P8
Fastest lap: 1’38″031
Race 1: P7
Race 2: P3
#6 OLIVER BEARMAN
“P2 in the race, P3 in the championship. The start was average but I made up one position, and then I gained a few spots in the following stages as the other drivers battled. In the end, I got up to P2 and fought hard for the lead. I was confident I was going to make it, but the red flag stopped us in our tracks. Congrats to the team on doing a great job and winning their own Championship.”
Qualifying: P6
Starting position Race 1: P7
Starting position Race 2: P6
Fastest lap: 1’37″760
Race 1: P2
Race 2: P2
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing