FIA Formula 3

Taylor Barnard holds off Christian Mansell for maiden Formula 3 victory at Spa

Andrew Rickert

30 Jul 2023 — 2 min read

Taylor Barnard took his maiden FIA Formula 3 victory at Spa after holding off a spirited challenge from Australian Christian Mansell in the feature race.

Taylor Barnard celebrates his maiden FIA Formula 3 victory in Belgium. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

“A feature race win here at Spa, I can’t quite believe it!” said the British driver.

“My weekend has gone upside-down to how I expected it to be to be honest, I finished on the podium in both races.”

“Quite a crazy race, started on the wets and I think it was the best tyre. I managed to hold off Christian and take the win.”

Taylor Barnard on track at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

Pepe Martí led the field with a rolling start in drying conditions, with only a handful of drivers opting for the wet compound tyres.

One of those on the wet tyres was Paul Aron, the PREMA driver up to fourth in the first set of corners after starting in eleventh and moving into the lead by the end of the lap.

The race was swinging wildly in favour of the wet-shod runners, with Taylor Barnard up to second and Mari Boya in third, while Mansell was fourth after starting 23rd.

Oliver Goethe crashed on lap four at Eau Rouge, with Aron into the pits for slick tyres as he sacrificed his nine-second lead to take advantage of the drying track.

Barnard led Mansell on track at the restart, with Aron returning in seventh behind a queue of drivers on the wet compound.

Roberto Faria spun off behind the safety car, as did Luke Browning, with racing underway again on lap eight. The wet runners were once again quicker, pulling away from Aron, while championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto was on a charge to take the title in Belgium if he could finish in the top ten.

Mansell was within three tenths of a second behind Barnard but couldn’t find a way past, taking to the escape road at Les Combes and handing the position back to his rival.

The Jenzer driver held on for the lead as the Australian Campos driver was unable to reel him back in, with Barnard taking the chequered flag ahed of Mansell and Bedrin.

Bortoleto’s charge ended in 11th, outside of the points and sending the championship decider to the final round in Monza. The Trident driver is 38 points ahead of rival Paul Aron, with just 39 points on offer in Monza.

Tommy Smith was 18th, with fellow Australian Hugh Barter 22nd after late-race contact.

The 2023 FIA Formula 3 season retires for the summer break before returning for the season finale in Monza.

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2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship - Round 9 Feature Race Result