Pepe Marti wins interrupted Formula 3 season opener in Bahrain
Pepe Marti made his way to the front of the pack through two safety car restarts to win the FIA Formula 3 opener in Bahrain.
Pepe Marti celebrates after winning the Formula 3 sprint race in Bahrain. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
The Campos Racing driver bided his time during two safety car restarts behind Franco Colapinto before using DRS to close and attack his Argentinian rival on lap 14.
“Amazing,” said the Spaniard.
“Last year I struggled a lot, but over the winter we worked really hard.”
“I’m really, really happy - coming across the line and seeing the chequered flag in first, it’s really amazing.”
Colapinto held onto second, with Brazilian Caio Collet completing the podium in third for new entrants Van Amersfoort Racing.
The race was neutralised twice, the first on lap two when Rafael Villagomez made contact with Gabriel Bortoleto and was pitched into the wall at the entry to turn five.
The race restarted on lap seven, but contact between Bortoleto and Kaylen Frederick left the ART Grand Prix driver stranded on track with a puncture, and the safety car was out once again.
Luke Browning retired at turn two, while Nikola Tsolov damaged his front wing on the restart.
The day went from bad to worse for the Bulgarian as he was handed a 10-second penalty for a starting infringement, alongside Alejandro Garcia.
The race opened up at the second restart, with Marti closing in on Colapinto for the lead and a four-car fight developing for fourth behind them.
Marti made the move into turn four on lap 14, after using DRS to unsettle the MP Motorsport driver on the main straight.
The Campos driver broke out of DRS range and sped away to the chequered flag.
Pepe Marti (middle), Franco Colapinto, and Caio Collet on the podium in Bahrain. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
“Today was really “enlightening,”” said Marti, commenting on the first track action for the new year.
“The biggest takeaway is that we have the pace, and for me it’s a massive boost of confidence.”
Aussie Hugh Barter was just outside the points in P11 after battling at the rear of the top ten throughout the race, while teammate and countryman Christian Mansell finished in P14.
Tommy Smith crossed the line in 23rd for Van Amersfoort Racing.
The 2023 FIA Formula 3 championship resumes on Sunday for the Bahrain feature race.
Watch every race of the FIA Formula 3 season on Kayo Sports. Get your 14 day free trial now!
