F3: Tsolov takes dominant victory at the Red Bull Ring

F1 Grand Prix, GP Austria, Red Bull Ring

Nikola Tsolov put in a brilliant performance at Spielberg, dominating from start to finish as the Campos Racing driver claimed a lights-to-flag victory in Sunday’s Feature Race.

Having secured pole position for the Spielberg Feature Race, the Red Bull Junior maintained the lead, before driving off into the distance.

While there were a number of battles across the field, Tsolov displayed dominant performance to finish 6.6s clear of the rest of the field.

Hitech TGR’s Martinius Stenshorne and MP Motorsport’s Tim Tramnitz started from P15 and P17 on the grid, but they produced stunning fightback performances to finish in second and third, respectively.

Aston Martin announced the establishment of its Driver Academy this week, confirming Mari Boya as the first junior driver of the programme. The Campos Racing driver started from a disappointing P14 on the grid, but he alsoproduced a brilliant comeback to finish fourt at the Red Bull Ring.

PREMA Racing’s Ugo Ugochukwu finished P5, one place ahead of championship leader Rafael Camara.

Former F1 driver Alex Wurz’s son Charlie Wurz ended up sevemth, ahead of Mercedes-backed Noah Stromsted in P8.
ART Grand Prix driver Laurens van Hoepen finished amd Rodin Motorsport’s Callum Voisin rounded out the top 10.

Speaking of his victory, Tsolov stated: “P1, and I did the best I could. Didn’t try to push too much for the fastest lap, but we wanted to make sure I stayed ahead and won the race, which we did.

“Only one point off the Championship lead, which is good news and a lot of confidence heading into the second half of the year, to keep going.

“A lot of confidence heading into the second half of the year, to keep going. So it’s a good way to start the second half, and let’s keep it up.”

Despite his disappointing result, Câmara continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship on 115 points, but his lead to Nikola Tsolov is now just one point, with the Campos Racing driver on 114. Tim Tramnitz is third on 90 points, with Noah Stromsted and Martinius Stenshorne tied on 60 points.

In the Teams’ Standings, TRIDENT retain first place on 196 points, but their lead to Campos Racing is now down to just five points. MP Motorsport stay in third place on 155 points, with Van Amersfoort Racing in fourth on 106, while ART Grand Prix sit fifth on 102.