Dennis Hauger extends FIA Formula 3 lead ahead of finale with Zandvoort win
Dennis Hauger has solidified his lead of the FIA Formula 3 championship, dominantly winning race three at Zandvoort ahead of Clément Novalak and Alexander Smolyar.
Dennis Hauger has one hand on the FIA Formula 3 championship after a win at Zandvoort. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
Hauger started from pole and built his lead over the 24-lap race, extending the championship gap to second-place Jack Doohan with just one round remaining.
The Norwegian driver moved swiftly to cut off a challenge from David Schumacher at the start, and didn't look back - his gap only challenged by a late-race virtual safety car.
Jack Doohan dropped to sixth after the first lap after being tipped by fellow Red Bull junior Jak Crawford in turn three.
As Hauger pulled away, the battle was on for second place as Martins applied consistent pressure to Schumacher, but was unable to find a way through in the early stages of the race.
Behind them, Jak Crawford was falling down the order, passed by Caio Collet and then Logan Sargeant multiple laps later.
The race entered a slight holding pattern as drivers sought to conserve tyre life, but it came alive on lap 18 when Matteo Nannini ran into the gravel at turn one to avoid the late-braking Juan Manuel Correa.
Dennis Hauger, Clement Novalak, and Alex Smolyar celebrate on the podium at Zandvoort. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
Correa was given a ten-second penalty for the attempt, while Nannini was able to gingerly return to the track.
The race for second came to a head on lap 22, when a frustrated Victor Martins sent his car down the inside of David Schumacher at turn 3.
Martins ran wide into Schumacher, sending him into the wall.
A virtual safety car neutralised the field as Schumacher's Trident was recovered from the track.
Dennis Hauger sped away at the restart with a lap remaining, taking the chequered flag in dominant form.
"I am really happy with the result," said Hauger. "It’s great for the championship."
"It has been an up and down weekend overall, but I am really happy to get the points in the end."
We’ll keep moving forward for Sochi now."
Clément Novalak inherited second, while Martins received a ten-second penalty, promoting Alex Smolyar to the final podium position.
Jack Doohan finished in fourth, claiming valuable championship points for the final duel with Hauger in Sochi.
Hauger leads by 43 points, with a total of 65 possible points on offer over the three-race weekend.
Fellow Aussie Calan Williams finished P18.
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