At the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, not even three safety car interventions could stop him. Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam) and the best-placed rookie, Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing) took the chequered flag in second and third place respectively. Italian Giovinazzi extended his FIA Formula 3 European Championship points’ lead, he is now 18 points clear of Leclerc, who is in second place. 

From pole position, Felix Rosenqvist took the lead at the start, but only held on to this position for half a lap. Then, Antonio Giovinazzi successfully mounted a challenge and took over the lead. In the opening stages of the race, Charles Leclerc, Jake Dennis (Prema Powerteam), Maximilian Günther (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) followed behind the leading duo in third to sixth place.

On lap four, Pietro Fittipaldi (Fortec Motorsports) slid into the gravel trap in the Motodrom section and thus caused the first safety car intervention. Nicolas Beer (Eurointernational) and Tatiana Calderón (Carlin) collided on lap nine, which brought the safety car out for the second time. Going into the Motodrom on lap 14, Raoul Hyman (Team West-Tec F3) spun into the gravel trap and retired. To allow for his car to be recovered from its dangerous position, the race director sent the safety car out for the third time. A third restart didn’t happen, the race ended behind the safety car.

Thus, Antonio Giovinazzi scored his first win of the season on a rather slippery track. Behind Felix Rosenqvist, Charles Leclerc as the best-placed rookie and Jake Dennis, Maximilian Günther was the best-placed German driver in the first FIA Formula 3 European Championship race of the season in Germany. Markus Pommer (Motopark), the second-best German, had to make do with seventh place, just behind Lance Stroll. Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Brandon Maïsano (Prema Powerteam) and Gustavo Menezes (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) completed the top ten.

Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “In such wet conditions, the race was anything but easy. Initially, I tried to overtake Felix as soon as I could, because you simply have a better view in the rain when you are in the lead. The first two safety car interventions didn’t really help me and Felix put me more and more under pressure as the race went on. I managed to bring victory home and I am happy.”

Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam): “As far as the result is concerned, I am somewhat disappointed, because when you start from pole position, you want to win. On the other hand, I did score valuable points by finishing second. I have to admit that Antonio made a good attack on me on the opening lap. After that, he wasn’t able to pull away, but I didn’t have a real chance to attack once more either.”

Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing): “My start was good, I moved up one place right away. Then, I was in a fierce battle with Jake Dennis and Maximilian Günther, in which I came out on top. At the restarts, I always hoped for an opportunity to take second place from Felix, but I never managed.”