At the 7.004 kilometres long Formula 1 circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, George Russell (HitechGP) scored his second win of the season in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The best-placed rookie, Joel Eriksson (Motopark), and Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) accompanied the 18-year-old Brit, who had started from pole position, onto the podium. For Jensen, third place in sunny conditions in the Belgian Ardennes meant his first podium finish of the season. In the drivers’ standings, Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) remains on top. The 17-year-old junior driver of the Williams Formula 1 team didn’t score any points in the 20th race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season after a puncture of the right rear tyre. 

At the start, George Russell was able to convert his first starting grid position into the race lead, but lost this position to Joel Eriksson at the end of the long Kemmel straight. Only on lap six, Russell was able to claim back first place when he mounted a successful attack on the same straight. Later on, Russell pulled clear from Eriksson more and more and eventually drove an undisputed victory home.

Behind Russell and Eriksson, Mikkel Jensen followed in third place. At the end of the opening lap, the Dane benefitted from the fact that the car driven by Nikita Mazepin (HitechGP) came to a halt due to a technical problem. Jensen brought the third place he had inherited home in a safe way. Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing) crossed the finish line in fourth place from Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing), and Pedro Piquet (Van Amersfoort Racing). For the Brazilian, who won his domestic Formula 3 championship title in 2014 and 2015, sixth place was his best FIA Formula 3 European Championship result to date. Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam), Guanyu Zhou (Motopark), Ryan Tveter (Carlin), and Niko Kari (Motopark) rounded out the top ten.

George Russell (HitechGP): “I had a good start and I was able to take the lead, but I knew already that it would be difficult to defend the lead throughout the opening lap. On the Kemmel straight, I already saw four cars in my rear-view mirrors, all wanting to attack. Eventually, only Joel Eriksson and Nikita Mazepin managed. Nikita having retired at the end of the first lap, I was back in second place again. My car was really fast, so I was able to take back the lead again later on. It was only difficult when a slight drizzle set in at the back of the track, but I made it through and I am happy with this victory for my team.”

Joel Eriksson (Motopark): “Prior to the start, I had already made myself a plan and that worked out almost perfectly. Unfortunately, George was faster during the race and then overtook me when I was having some problems with the balance of my car. Then, I tried to save my tyres and bring second place home, which I managed to do. At the end of the day, I am happy with my podium finish, rather than disappointed by not having won.”

Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport): “Today, George and Joel were faster, so third place was all I could manage. I have had many opportunities to finish in the top three this season, but something happened every time and prevented it. Therefore, I am happy that I am finally on the podium now, although I had expected my first podium finish of the season to come earlier. Now, I hope that I will be in contention for victories pretty soon, too.”