Oscar Piastri keeps championship lead as David Beckmann joins list of FIA F3 race winners

David Beckmann has won Race 2 of the FIA Formula 3 weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, ahead of Oscar Piastri and Dennis Hauger.

Beckmann got off the line cleanly from reverse-grid pole, despite the poor conditions. Dennis Hauger was into second, with Logan Sargeant up to third.

Hauger applied immediate pressure to Beckmann, but the German was able to hold him off, defending the position for the opening lap before ultimately succumbing to the pressure.

Hauger was up into first, and down in the pack Alexander Smolyar had made a remarkable early-race charge, from 27th on the grid up into 14th.

Liam Lawson, already on the back foot after retiring in Race 1, was forced to retire in Race 2 with a mechanical issue, bringing out the Safety Car.

Bent Viscaal took full advantage of the restart, getting by his teammate Richard Verschoor into fourth and then brushing past Sargeant for third place.

Viscaal’s position then came under a different kind of threat, as he was issued with a five second time penalty for causing a collision with Igor Fraga earlier in the race.

The Dutchman, with more pace than his competitors, was unbothered by the news, going around the outside of Beckmann for second before quickly dispatching Hauger for the lead of the race.

Viscaal then set about building a five second gap to save his race lead once the penalty was applied. Behind, Oscar Piastri was up into fourth, while Beckmann was past Hauger for second.

Smolyar, still on a charge through the field, was now chasing down Sebastian Fernandez for seventh place—having made up a full twenty positions so far in the race.

Viscaal was comfortably ahead at the front, even with his five second penalty, but his task became Promethean when Race Control handed him a second five second penalty, this time for his move on Sargeant.

Viscaal, with nothing but the clock to beat, looked set for at least a podium, but it was for naught. Federico Malvestiti suffered damage, stopping on track and bringing out a Safety Car for the final laps.

The pack, bunched up behind the Safety Car, caused Viscaal’s margin to completely evaporate—crossing the line first but ultimately finishing in P17 with his penalties.

Beckmann took the race victory, followed by Piastri, who recorded the fastest lap, and Hauger in third.

The German driver said “it was an intense race.”

“I managed to have a good start, but Dennis [Hauger] was a bit faster than me, and I think that we had low tyre pressure. I was able to get back ahead of Dennis though, and then in the end Bent [Viscaal] got a time penalty, so I won.

“I am really happy with the win and I think that we made the best out of the situation. The track was getting drier and drier, and we really had to manage the tyres. We done a good job and it was a good recovery from a tough Qualifying on Friday, so I am really happy to score some good points.”

Aussie Oscar Piastri holds the Championship lead once again, with a resounding 76 points ahead of Logan Sargeant on 50.

Piastri said “another second place, which is great from ninth on the grid.”

“I got a good start and we seemed really quick at the beginning, but I think before the safety-car my rear tires went away a bit so I struggled for a while.

“After the safety car, we were super quick again. Just unfortunate with the last safety car, I think we could have challenged for the win. We got another podium, another fastest lap, three in a row on Sundays which is a good  record."

Fellow Aussie Alex Peroni finished P10, while Calan Williams ended the day in P15.

Jack Doohan finished 25th, before a 20-second time penalty dropped the Red Bull junior to 26th.

Kiwi Liam Lawson retired on Lap 7.