Despite the Saucy threat, Bortoleto converted his pole position into victory

The Brazilian delivered an authoritative Main Race to score a second victory in 2023 and take the lead in the championship.

Published on 02/04/2023 à 02:03

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Despite the Saucy threat, Bortoleto converted his pole position into victory

Gabriel Bortoleto signs his 2nd victory of the year and takes the lead in the championship. © Diederik van der Laan / Dutch Photo Agency / DPPI

This is a great way to round off your stay in the Antipodes. Author of his first pole position in F3 Friday, Gabriel Bortoleto showed great authority in this second Main Race of the campaign.

Already a winner in the Main Race for his debut in Bahrain four weeks ago, the Trident driver did not falter in the money time. With a very good reaction to the lights going out, the championship leader sheltered himself from a possible attack from Grégoire Saucy (ART Grand Prix) and Gabriele Mini (Hitech GP), his closest pursuers .

At the helm of this final outing of the Australian weekend, Gabriel Bortoleto then had to manage a choppy race with restarts after a few incidents on the track including the retirement of Franco Colapinto (MP Motorsport). But despite the challenge and the incessant pressure from Grégoire Saucy in his mirrors still benefiting from DRS, the Auriverde did not tremble to win his 2^e victory of the year.

LAP 1 / 23

Colapinto is out 💔

Earlier contact causes a puncture and he's helpless as he goes into the barrier #AusGP #F3 pic.twitter.com/H1sOVurK50

- Formula 3 (@ Formula3) April 1, 2023

LAP 21 / 23

The battle for the win is ON!

Saucy is only half a second behind Bortoleto! #AusGP #F3 pic.twitter.com/7eTLD7Lsbb

- Formula 3 (@ Formula3) April 1, 2023

Martí unleashed

If at the front of the peloton the spectacle was somewhat lacking as Gabriel Bortoleto did not trembled, this was not the case at the rear. Made a mistake in qualifying and was forced to start from 30^e and last position on the grid, Pepe Martí (Campos) put on a show. Taking advantage of the excellent rhythm of car and the many adventures on the track, the protégé of Fernando Alonso gained 21 places to take the checkerboard at 9^e rank ! Enough to limit the damage after his qualifying mishaps.

LAP 18 / 23

🚨 MARTI IN THE POINTS 🚨

He started last (P30) and now he's up to P10 with a brilliant move on Edgar! #AusGP #F3 pic.twitter.com/H8nVrreGsa

- Formula 3 (@ Formula3) April 1, 2023

In the championship, Gabriel Bortoleto therefore remains in the lead. With 58 points under his belt, the Brazilian is ahead of Grégoire Saucy by 20 lengths.