Novalak takes his first podium, victory for Lawson

Tenth in race 1 won by Oscar piastri (Prema) this Saturday, Clément Novalak (Carlin) started from pole position this Sunday, for race 2 contested on the Red Bull Ring. The young man (19 years old), who races under a British license, scored his first podium for only his 2nd race in F3, won by New Zealander Liam Lawson (Hitech) ahead of Dutchman Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport).

Despite a good start, Novalak was unable to create a sufficient gap with David Beckmann and Liam Lawson in the opening laps before DRS was activated. Overtaken by both men at turn 4, the Frenchman was 3rd on lap 5, before pulling off a great maneuver at turn 3 by diving inside on Beckmann, to regain 2nd place (Lap 11). Behind, it was with Richard Verschoor that Clément Novalak battled, finally finishing 3rd on the heels of the Dutchman, despite the appearance of a safety car four laps from the end, after Roman Stanek (16 years old, Charouz) had hit the polystyrene sign indicating the DRS zone (Turn 21).

Pourchaire unlucky

For his part, Théo Pourchaire (ART) had a lively race. Starting from 13th place, the native of Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes) first moved up three places to virtually enter the points (10th in round 3). Before breaking his front wing, surprised by the sudden stop of the car of Alex Peroni (Campos), victim of a mechanical breakdown. On the pace but unlucky, Pourchaire finally finished 19th for his learning weekend, after having managed several overtakes at the end of the race.

Discover the report of F3 at the Red Bull Ring produced by our special correspondent in AUTO issue 2268hebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.