Robert Shwartzman takes win in interrupted Monza FIA F3 Feature Race
FIA Formula 3 Championship leader Robert Shwartzman has edged out his Kiwi teammate Marcus Armstrong to take victory in Monza for the FIA F3 Feature Race.
Image: FIA F3/Joe Portlock
Christian Lundgaard was promoted to pole after 17 different penalties were applied to the Qualifying order. Lirim Zendeli sat next to him on the front row, with Richard Verschoor in third, and a three-way battle into the first corner saw Zendeli take the early lead.
Marcus Armstrong had a stellar start from seventh on the grid and was fourth by the time the running order settled in.
Armstrong easily overtook Verschoor, while Zendeli and Lundaard came together at the exit of Parabolica. The New Zealander capitalised on the damage to the leaders’ cars and quickly took the race lead, building a steady lead.
Shwartzman was hungry for victory, and battled through the field past Veschoor and Daruvala and into second.
Jüri Vips clipped the rear of Kayvan Andres and was flung off track, with massive damage to his car, bringing out a safety car.
At the restart, Armstrong lead had evaporated to just 0.5s. Shwartzman tightly chased the New Zealander and took the lead of the race.
Australian Alex Peroni, who looked certain of a finish in the points, ran wide and was flung into the air by a sausage curb in a horrific accident, which saw the safety car emerge for the remainder of the race.
Shwartzman took the win unopposed, followed by Armstrong, Daruvala, and Yuki Tsunoda.
To add insult to injury, Armstrong was given a 20-second post-race penalty for his pace under the first safety car, which dropped the New Zealander to P21.
This promoted fellow Kiwi Liam Lawson to P7, which will see him start on the front row for tomorrow’s Sprint Race.
