RIVERA WINS F3 SPRINT AFTER FINAL-LAP DRAMA
The Formula 3 Sprint Race was won by Ernesto Rivera after putting pressure on James Wharton for the whole race, Pedro Clerot finished second and Jin Nakamura in third, as both got to overtake the PREMA driver in the final corners.
The race barely got underway before contact between Slater and Stromsted brought out the Safety Car, forcing the field to regroup and resetting the early order. Freddie had to retire the car.
At the restart, James Wharton controlled the pace from the front and managed to keep the lead, with Ernesto Rivera and Pedro Clerot close behind in a tight leading group. Behind them, most drivers held position in the opening laps, but the race was already beginning to split into small battles through the field. Theophile Nael stood out early by gaining several positions.
As the laps went on, Wharton began to set the pace with fastest laps, trying to stretch the field, but Rivera stayed close enough to keep pressure on the leader. The midfield and front group remained tightly packed, forming a long DRS train that made overtaking difficult and increased the importance of every small mistake.
Debris on track forced a Virtual Safety Car after McLaughlin lost his front wing. The interruption briefly slowed the rhythm, but once racing resumed the intensity quickly returned. Battles restarted immediately, with Rivera staying glued to Wharton’s tow while Clerot and Nakamura fought hard for the final podium positions.
The key moment of the race came when Rivera made a decisive move around the outside at Turn 4 to take the lead from Wharton. It was a clean but bold overtake, and once in front, Rivera managed to control the pace and defend his position as the laps counted down.
On the final lap, Clerot launched a strong attack in the battle for the podium and pulled off a spectacular move around the outside in Turn 3, jumping from the fight behind straight into second place and demoting Wharton further down the order. Nakamura also capitalised on the final-lap chaos to secure a podium position.
At the chequered flag, Rivera crossed the line to take a memorable first Formula 3 victory after returning from injury, Pedro Clerot finished second after a strong final-lap move, while Jin Nakamura completed the podium. James Wharton dropped to fourth after leading for much of the race.
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