May 12

May 12 Robert Shwartzman takes victory in FIA Formula 3 race after post-race penalty to rival Lundgaard

Robert Shwartzman has taken victory in the inaugural FIA Formula 3 race, as Christian Lundgaard, provisional winner, was handed a five-second time penalty after the race for an incorrect virtual safety car procedure. Kiwi Marcus Armstrong completed the podium in third.

Shwartzman qualified on pole and held P1 into the first corner, despite pressure from Armstrong on the lead pair. The pressure proved to be too much, with Lundgaard passing him into turn 2 while the Russian was distracted by his teammate.

Lundgaard had stretched his lead to almost 2.8s, when Alessio Deledda spun into the gravel, triggering a virtual safety car. The ART driver had no qualms on the restart and held his lead, taking the checkered flag in Barcelona.

His celebrations were cut short when race control announced a post-race penalty, just as the Danish driver was entering parc fermé.

The maiden FIA Formula 3 podium, featuring a somber Lundgaard

Armstrong finished third, with Australian Alex Peroni in P12, and kiwi and Red Bull Junior Liam Lawson only completing 14 laps after a technical problem at the start.

FIA FORMULA 3 Race 1 @ Barcelona