May 10

May 10 WEEKEND PREVIEW: FIA Formula 3 launches & Aussies back on track in Asia

Welcome to your Weekend Preview for 11-12 May, 2019. Here’s your look at the Aussies who are competing around the world this weekend.

FIA Formula 3 launches in Barcelona

The new FIA Formula 3 commences this weekend in Barcelona, meaning F1, F2, and F3 all racing on the same card for the first time. The existing GP3 and Formula 3 European series merged to create FIA Formula 3, as the formal “third step” on the ladder to Formula 1. The thirty-car series will race at eight F1 race weekends over the year.

Australian Alex Peroni joins the series after two years in Formula Renault Eurocup, racing for Campos:

I’m really excited to jump in the car this weekend for the first round of the championship at Barcelona. Testing overall went well and we are feeling good coming into the weekend. Going to be a big challenge but I’m ready for it!

He is joined by Kiwis and Toyota Racing Series rivals Liam Lawson and Marcus Armstrong.

Armstrong, a Ferrari Academy driver, won the Italian Formula 4 series in 2017, before competing in the Formula 3 European series in 2018.

Lawson raced in Australian Formula 4 before winning the 2019 Toyota Racing Series and signing as a Red Bull Junior Driver. He is also competing in the EuroFormula Open this year, and will be the youngest driver in FIA F3 at 17.

Jack Doohan within reach of the championship lead as the second round of the F3 Asian Championship heads to Buriram

Australian Jack Doohan heads into the second round of the F3 Asian Championship in second place, after duelling with championship leader Ukyo Sasahara throughout the first three races.

Doohan scored two second-place finishes and one win in Sepang, with Sasahara in the lead pair each time. Sasahara leads with 68 points, with Doohan in second on 61.

Kiwi Brendon Leitch heads to Buriram third in the championship standings after a solid weekend in Malaysia. Despite this, has a way to go if he wants to challenge the championship leaders, going into the weekend with 39 points.

Aussie Tommy Smith finished 13th in all three races last weekend and will be hoping for his first championship point in this weekend’s outing.

Josh Smith looks for more race wins in Formula 4 South East Asia

Aussie Josh Smith took two second-place finishes and one win in the last round of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship, and will be looking to consolidate these points hauls with more success in Buriram. The only Australian driver in the championship, Josh’s success comes after some awesome drives (from P11 to P2 in Race 7), and a massive improvement from Round 1.

Hunter McElrea holds second in USF2000 championship ahead of Indy Grand Prix

Hunter McElrea, 2019 Australian Formula Ford champion, heads into the second USF2000 race weekend in second place, leading a tight midfield. McElrea had third- and second-place finishes in St. Petersburg, and sits on 47 points behind championship leader Braden Eves on 62 points.

Fellow Australian Cameron Shields sits in fifteenth position on 15 points.

Elsewhere

Australian Oscar Piastri is seventh in the Formula Renault Eurocup championship ahead of this weekend’s second round at Silverstone. Piastri will be looking to capitalise on his P4 finish in Race 2 at Monza, after a P18 finish in Race 1.

The FIA Formula 2 resumes in Barcelona.

Weekend Schedule

Friday

Formula 4 SEA Race 1 - 8.10pm AEST

Saturday

USF2000 Race 1 - 4.45am AEST
Formula 4 SEA Race 2 - 12.55pm AEST
Formula 3 Asia Race 1 - 5.10pm AEST
FIA Formula 3 Feature Race - 6.15pm AEST
Formula 4 SEA Race 3 - 8.00pm AEST
Formula Renault Eurocup Race 1 - 10.30pm AEST
USF2000 Race 2 - 11.15pm AEST

Sunday

FIA Formula 2 Feature Race - 0.40am AEST
Formula 4 SEA Race 4 - 12.00pm AEST
Formula 3 Asia Race 2 - 1.00pm AEST
Formula 3 Asia Race 3 - 5.15pm AEST
FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race - 6.15pm AEST
FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race - 7.30pm AEST
Formula Renault Eurocup Race 2 - 10.35pm AEST

Cover Image: Joe Portlock