FIA Formula 3

Zak O'Sullivan takes victory as F3 Barcelona sprint race comes alive

Andrew Rickert

03 Jun 2023 — 3 min read

Zak O’Sullivan took victory from pole in the FIA Formula 3 sprint race in Barcelona as the final stage of the race delivered drama further down the field.

Zak O’Sullivan celebrates victory in the Formula 3 sprint race in Barcelona. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

O’Sullivan had the better start from reverse-grid pole, holding off Zak Browning and asserting his lead around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The Briton held the lead through two safety car restarts and the challenge of fellow Williams junior Browning chasing him down with DRS to take the chequered flag in the lead.

“I think as a race it was a pretty tricky race. DRS seems to be maybe a bit more powerful than last year on the old layout. So yeah, the early part of the race was kind of managing Luke behind, and then at the end the pace seemed to be better.”

“[The start] was as good as I would’ve wanted. Luke was quite close into T1, but I knew as long as I braked as late as I could, I was doubtful he could brake any later.”

“With the new layout we were kind of the guinea pigs as to where to go on the restart. I decided to go pretty early because the aero wash is quite bad around turns 13 and 14. It seemed to work both times.”

Zak O’Sullivan takes the chequered flag in Barcelona. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

It is O’Sullivan’s second victory of the 2023 Formula 3 season, with Luke Browning and Leonardo Fornaroli completing the podium.

Browning was unable to convert despite multiple attempts on the leader into turn one, but could take solace in his first ever podium in Formula 3.

Further back, Ido Cohen was off on lap one after potential contact, while Aussie Hugh Barter was penalised for running off track and not rejoining around the bollard at the exit of turn two.

Gabriele Minì and Christian Mansell were charging through the field after starting 18th and 16th respectively, with the pair up to 12th and 13th and catching Mansell’s Campos teammate and feature race polesitter Pepe Martí.

Paul Aron and Sebastian Montoya went side-by-side in turn one, leaving the Hitech driver with a puncture, as Dino Beganovic also sustained a puncture and sped off into the gravel at turn ten.

The action further ahead promoted the Mansell/Minì/Martí pack into the final points-paying positions, with the Australian leading the trio in ninth.

A late challenge by Minì into turn one saw the Italian clip Mansell, sending him spinning off into the gravel and bringing out the safety car with two cars stranded at different parts of the track.

O’Sullivan led away well at the restart to complete the few final laps and take victory.

Sprint winner! 🏆#WeAreWilliams #Prema #F3 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/TbOAEqtDft June 3, 2023

Trident driver Gabriel Bortoleto was fourth, scoring seven points and extending his championship lead over Minì, who copped a penalty for his contact with Mansell and dropped out of the points.

Tommy Smith was the highest-placed Aussie after the contact, crossing the line 19th, with Hugh Barter 20th after his time penalty.

Pepe Martí will lead away the FIA Formula 3 field from pole position in the feature race at 5.55pm on Sunday (AEST).

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2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship - Round Barcelona Sprint Race