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F3 - Back in Budapest

20.04.16
F3 returns to Hungary’s premier circuit for its second event in 2016

FIA European Formula 3 is back in Budapest this weekend (22-24 April) as the paddock assembles at the famous Hungaroring for the second round of the 2016 season.

The series made the trip to Hungary for the first time in 2014, and after a year of absence the field returns to do battle around the 4.381-kilometre circuit once again. A familiar feature on the Formula 1 calendar, 14 mostly medium and low speed corners lie ahead, with a lap record of 1:36.269 Tom Blomqvist to beat for this current crop of future stars.

None of the drivers on the current grid raced at the circuit two years ago, but they have had a chance to familiarise themselves with the track in F3 machinery with a full day of testing today (20 April). Current standings leader Nick Cassidy headed the field during the morning session, however his margin to fellow Prema Powerteam charger Lance Stroll was just under two tenths behind. In the afternoon, Motopark’s Sergio Sette Camara secured the quickest time of the day overall by just 0.019s from Prema’s Lance Stroll, so expect qualifying to be an incredibly close affair.

Last time the F3 cars lined up at Hungaroring, which sits just 20km outside of Hungary’s capital city, the event was dominated by eventual champion Estaban Ocon. The then-17-year-old secured pole position for all three encounters, and had it not been for a slow getaway in the first would most likely have taken all three wins also. As it was, young Brit Tom Blomqvist got the hole shot in race one and went on to win, with Ocon not making the same mistake in the next two races leading from lights to flag in both.

With a blank slate for these drivers at this circuit, results for the weekend are hard to predict, and the three races that support the FIA World Touring Car Championship event are sure to throw up some surprises.

You can stream all the action and view live timing here.