FIA Formula 3

Zak O'Sullivan takes first Formula 3 feature race win in Spielberg

Andrew Rickert

03 Jul 2023 — 2 min read

Zak O'Sullivan held off a frantic battle in the final stages of the Formula 3 feature race in Austria to take the top step of the podium.

Zak O’Sullivan celebrates his maiden Formula 3 feature race victory at Spielberg. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

The PREMA driver took the lead in the second half of the race and withstood a five-way skirmish in the final laps to take victory ahead of Gabriele Bortoleto and Caio Collet.

"An amazing win, I didn’t expect that one," said O'Sullivan.

"The pace was really good throughout, I think across the board tyre degradation was quite high, so I managed to get to the lead and then it was fighting to stay out front trying to break the DRS every lap."

"Thanks to PREMA, the car was really good, and I think overall it’s been a positive weekend for us.”

Pole sitter Grégoire Saucy held the lead at the start ahead of Dino Beganovic and Gabriel Bortoleto, while Gabriele Minì ran wide after clipping the rear of Luke Browning, off at turn four and stranded in the gravel.

The safety car brought racing to a halt as Minì's car was recovered, with Saucy holding fast when running resumed on lap five.

The ART driver was reeled in as Beganovic took full advantage of DRS coming online, passing for the lead on lap seven.

The pain continued for Saucy, locking up on lap 11 with Bortoleto into second and Zak O'Sullivan moving into third.

Sprint race winner Paul Aron entered the fight but clipped the rear of Saucy, leaving the pole sitter with a puncture and damage to Aron's front wing.

O'Sullivan had the better pace as the race passed half distance, passing Beganovic and into the lead.

Caio Collet made a bold move on the PREMA of Beganovic on lap 18 to take the final podium position, with nothing separating the top five as they entered the final two laps.

O'Sullivan drove off into the lead, clear of the drama behind, while Sebastian Montoya and Franco Colapinto collided while battling for third, securing second for Bortoleto and third for Collet.

Zak O’Sullivan (middle), Gabriel Bortoleto, and Caio Collet on the podium in Austria. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

Pepe Marti ran wide while on course for a top ten finish, promoting teammates Mansell and Barter into the points positions.

Mansell was seventh ahead of teammate and countryman Hugh Barter in eighth, with Tommy Smith in 21st.

The podium takes Bortoleto past 100 points in the championship standings,35 points clear of Beganovic in second. O'Sullivan moves up to third after his victory, tied on 73 points with Pepe Martí ahead of Minì and Aron tied in fifth.

The FIA Formula 3 championship returns next week at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

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2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship - Round 6 Austria Feature Race Results