Race Report

Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana 2024
FIA F3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Circuit: Barcelona (E), Length 4.655 km, 21^st – 23^rd June 2024, Rounds 9 + 10
www.circuitcat.com

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2024:
Charlie Wurz (A), Max Esterson (USA), Matias Zagazeta (PER)

© Dutch Photo Agency

The 100^th race of FIA F3 took place in Barcelona

The FIA F3 Championship held the fifth racing event of the season in Barcelona in the FIA F1 program of the Gran Premio de Espana 2024. It was immediately apparent how close the top-class, 30-vehicle field was.

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Qualifying

Friday, 21/06/24, 15.00 – 15.30, Weather: Sunny, 28°C

The fifth round of the season began on Friday morning with free practice. With very warm temperatures, our drivers were ready to give their best. Max managed to finish a promising 13^th, Charlie was right behind him in 14^th and Matias, who was back in the FIA F3 racing machine for the first time since his appendix operation, took it easy and finished 27^th.
The qualifying session started in the afternoon. As always, this was a delicate matter, because the drivers had to get the tires to the ideal temperature and get themselves into a good position on the track to start a perfect lap. This was very difficult with 30 cars on track. Although his best lap didn't start optimally, Matias ended up in 21^st place, right ahead of Charlie, who finished 22^nd. Max finished 25^th. Practically the whole field was within one second, and the laptimes were very close to each other.

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FIA F3 Championship

Race One (Sprint-Race, 40 Minutes)

Saturday, 22/06/24, 10.40, Weather: Sunny, 25°C

The sprint race started in beautiful sunshine. Hard battles for positions began immediately. There were two accidents and the safety car had to be deployed. Our drivers had made up a few places by then, Charlie was now 18^th, Matias 19^th and Max 24^th. At the restart, Matias was surprised and fell back to 23^rd place. Since everyone was now driving very evenly and saving the tires, there were not too many changes happening because nobody wanted to take too much of a risk to overtake. Charlie held on to his 18^th position, Matias moved up to 22^nd and Max was 25^th. However, since the tires did not deteriorate in performance as much as expected this time, there were no additional overtaking opportunities. Towards the end of the race another accident occurred and the safety car took over the field again. There was only a short sprint left from the safety car line to the finish line. Charlie reached the finish in 16^th place, Matias was 19^th and Max 22^nd.

© Dutch Photo Agency

© Dutch Photo Agency

FIA F3 Championship

Race Two (Feature Race, 45 Minutes)

Sunday, 23/06/24, 10.05, Weather: Overcast, 20°C

Sunday morning was overcast and there was a small chance of rain. In any case, all cars started on slick tires. Our drivers got off to a good start and there were no accidents. Everyone drove in a good rhythm. When the tires started to wear down a little halfway through the race and at the same time some rain fell on part of the track, positions in the field started to move. Charlie was now 19^th, Matias 20^th, and Max 25^th. Charlie managed to overtake Mini and then Voisin, moving up to 16^th place. He drove comparatively quickly and continued to catch up. Later, van Hoepen and Stenshorne dropped back and Charlie was now in 14^th position. He brought this place home safely. Matias drove very well in the first half of the race and was positioned ahead of Charlie. But in the middle of the race he felt the performance of his tires quickly dwindle and had to admit defeat to first Charlie and then other competitors. His lap times were now comparatively slow. In the end, he brought his vehicle to the finish line undamaged in 19^th place. Max was very consistent and improved by a few places towards the end of the race. He saw the checkered flag in 23^nd place. With that the 100^th race of FIA F3 was already history.

We are looking forward to the next race which will take place on the weekend of 30^th June 2024 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

Championship standings after 10 out of 18 races:

1^st Leonardo Fornaroli (I), 84 points: 2^nd Luke Browning (GB), 79 points; 3^rd Gabriele Mini (I), 72 points; 4^th Arvid Lindblad (GB), 71 points; 5^th Dino Beganovic (S), 65 points; 6^th Oliver Goethe (D), 63 points; 18^th Charlie Wurz (A), 10 points; 22^nd Max Esterson (USA), 5 points

Charlie Wurz (A)

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Max Esteron (USA)

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Matias Zagazeta (PER)

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2024 FIA F3 Meisterschaft

Read more:

• www.fiaformula3.com
• www.italiaracing.net