A podium sweep for Prema Theodore Racing in Race 2 & maiden victory for Robert Shwartzman in Race 3 has secured the FIA Formula 3 European Championship team title with one round to go. The team couldn’t have experienced a better weekend at Red Bull Ring. After ending up race 1 in first and second place, the Italian squad did it all again in race 2 and 3, adding a complete podium lockout in the morning. In addition, Mick Schumacher increased his lead at the top of the driver standings ahead of the season finale at Hockenheim.
Racing for the team. Kiwi Marcus Armstrong finished second and fourth in Race 2 & 3 adding to his fourth place in the opening race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. He now sits third on the points table just 20 points behind rival Daniel Ticktum who crashed out of race 2 and finished third in race 3.
“Race 2 was pretty normal,” commented Armstrong. “I tried to move further up to the front, but it wasn’t particularly easy and Mick drove very well. When I made a slight mistake, I also damaged my left front tire, which made my race more difficult. Then in race 3, I brought home another points finish to complete a not-too-bad weekend.”
In race 2, the German Schumacher kept team-mate Armstrong at bay at the start to take his fifth consecutive win, while Robert Shwartzman scored P3. In race 3, the Russian lined-up on the front row and delivered a perfect getaway, going by Schumacher. Shwartzman led from start to finish for a well-deserved maiden win in the series.
To make the Austrian weekend even more special, PREMA Theodore Racing was able to celebrate the team’s eighth consecutive team championship with three races to go. A massive accomplishment considering that the current era of Formula 3 racing will come to its conclusion at the end of the season.
Ralf Aron brought home two more points finishes after yesterday’s struggles in P5 and P9, while Guanyu Zhou posted a 9th and an 11th place.
The final driver’s championship title deciding round at Hockenheim will take place 13-14 October.
Overall Points (Top 3)
1/ Mick Schumacher 329 points
2/ Daniel Ticktum 280
3/ Marcus Armstrong 260
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