Oscar Piastri takes dominant FIA F3 win ahead of Alex Peroni
Oscar Piastri has won Race 2 of the FIA Formula 3 race weekend in Barcelona, ahead of Alex Peroni and Matteo Nannini.
Oscar Piastri celebrates on the podium for Race 2 of the FIA Formula 3 weekend in Barcelona. (Image: Supplied/Formula Motorsport Limited)
Nannini started on pole, but suffered from wheelspin and was quickly swallowed by the chasing pack at the start. Richard Verschoor went wheel-to-wheel with Nannini in a drag race to Turn 1, but it was Australian Alex Peroni who ultimately squeezed down the outside, taking the race lead into Turn 2.
Fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri had rocketed into contention from fifth at the start, taking the lead from an unsettled Peroni at the exit of Turn 3.
Peroni, who had been tapped by Verschoor, was also passed by Nannini, who fought back for second place.
Championship leader Logan Sargeant was another winner at the start, earning four places from ninth to fifth.
Dennis Hauger and Leonardo Pulcini collided further down the field, sending Max Fewtrell and Olli Caldwell out the emergency exit and into the gravel trap. Their stricken cars brought out the Safety Car, giving the leaders a temporary break from the so-far frantic action.
Piastri rocketed away from the field at the restart, but Nannini was under consistent pressure from Peroni - holding on for five laps before making an error in the final complex. This robbed his Jenzer of the necessary pace down the main straight, and the Tasmanian sailed past him in to Turn 1.
Alex Peroni on the FIA Formula 3 podium in Barcelona. (Image: Supplied/Formula Motorsport Limited)
Piastri was now 3 seconds ahead of his countryman, but this was cut once again when the Safety Car emerged as Federico Malvestiti’s car was rescued from the gravel.
Piastri ultimately won with a 1.1 second lead back to Peroni for an all-Australian 1-2, with Nannini completing the podium.
“I am very happy with that,” he said.
“It had been a pretty average weekend so far, but we made up for it in that one. A massive thank you to the team for a great car, not just today, but all year.”
“We are definitely back with some strong points in that one and I am looking forward to the next three – let’s try and win this one.”
Oscar Piastri and Alex Peroni on the FIA Formula 3 podium in Barcelona. (Image: Supplied)
Piastri is now just one point behind championship leader Logan Sargeant, who finished in P5.
“Overall to finish second and have good pace at the end, we can be happy with that for sure,” said Peroni.
“I managed to get a good start and went around Nannini on the first turn. Unfortunately he touched my right rear which put me out of line for T2 and T3 when Piastri passed me. After the late safety car, the front end was good but my rears were going away. “
“I don’t normally rave about finishing second but to stand next to a fellow Australian on the podium, is something very special that I will never forget. Well done to Oscar and thanks to my team at Campos for a fast car and to all my fantastic sponsors and supporters.”
Kiwi Liam Lawson finished P7 and holds third place in the championship on 99 points, while Aussies Calan Williams and Jack Doohan finished in P14 and P15 respectively.
