Rafael Câmara controls interruptions to take F3 feature race victory in Melbourne

MELBOURNE–A day after exiting the FIA Formula 3 sprint race in the gravel, polesitter Rafael Câmara took out the feature race in wet and difficult conditions.

The Brazilian driver controlled the race from the front after three laps behind the safety car, before two safety car interventions and an eventual red flag on lap 18.

"“P1, very happy with the result," said the Trident driver.

"Still a long way to go in the championship. Now we can enjoy this a bit, but we’ll be focused on Bahrain.”

Câmara led away well from the rolling start with a healthy lead over teammate Noah Strømsted before Nikola Tsolov and Callum Voisin both speared off the road onto the grass at turn 10.

The safety car neutralised the field for a handful of laps before Câmara once again made the most of the clear track ahead to extend his lead over his teammate.

DAMS Lucas Oil driver Christian Ho had a big moment a turn seven, spinning into the wall and bringing out the safety car once again, with the field completing a few more laps before the red flag fell on the first feature race of the year.

For Trident, it was the team's second consecutive feature race one-two after finishing in the same order at Monza last year, while Van Amersfoort Racing’s Théophile Nael classified in third.

Aussie James Wharton finished the chaotic race in 21st position to end his FIA Formula 3 debut.

Câmara's feature race victory, fastest lap, and pole position combine to put him on top of the standings leaving Australia on 28 points, with Nael in second on 19 points and Strømsted third on 18 points.

The FIA Formula 3 field now heads to Bahrain for an in-season test on 26-28 March before round 2 at the Bahrain Grand Prix from 11-13 April.

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