Concluding the Belgian round of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, rookie driver Joel Eriksson (Motopark) took his first win of the year. At the 7.004 kilometres long Grand Prix circuit in the Ardennes, the Swede won in partly sunny conditions from Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing) and George Russell (HitechGP). The fourth race-winning rookie this season also secured the first win of his team Motopark in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship and moved up into first place in the rookie standings. Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam), the FIA Formula 3 European Championship points’ leader, took the flag in fourth place after an entertaining battle with George Russell. 

Joel Eriksson already took first place at the start, while George Russell, who had started from pole position, dropped back after a poor getaway. At the end of the long Kemmel straight, one of the best places for overtaking of the entire race track, Eriksson managed to defend his lead. Anthoine Hubert returned from the opening lap in second place from Nikita Mazepin, Lance Stroll and Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam). However, the Russian, who was in the top three for the second time this season, lost his place to Lance Stroll on lap two already. Eventually, Mazepin finished eighth.

Out in front, Joel Eriksson drove an undisputed victory home and second place for his main rival Anthoine Hubert was safe until the chequered flag was out as well. For Lance Stroll, the situation was different. He was in third place for a long time, but on lap 14, George Russell overtook the Canadian with a brave move. Then, Russell lost his place after a counter-attack and was fourth again. However, the Brit didn’t give in, made another attack and overtook the Williams Formula 1 team’s junior driver once more. Soon after that, he took the chequered flag in third place.

Behind Lance Stroll, Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam) finished fifth in the 21st race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season, followed by Maximilian Günther, Niko Kari (Motopark), Nikita Mazepin, Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), and David Beckmann (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport).

Joel Eriksson (Motopark): “Winning an FIA Formula 3 European Championship race is a fantastic feeling. I was able to benefit from George Russel’s poor start and take the lead. At the end of the Kemmel straight, I had some cars behind me wanting to overtake me, but I managed to stay in the lead. Then, I tried to pull a gap, but save the tyres at the same time. At the beginning of the season, we were quick already, but then, we were having some issues with the balance of the car. At Spa, we managed to come back to the front of the field.”

Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing): “My start was relatively normal and I also made it through Les Combes in a good way. After that, I was second. During the race, Lance Stroll was faster than me and managed to close the gap, but didn’t find a way past. Later, he was battling with George Russell, so my second place was safe.”

George Russell (HitechGP): “My start was poor, so that I was all the way down in 13th or 14th place going into Les Combes. After that, I overtook one driver after another, which sometimes wasn’t that easy at all. At the end, I was involved in a battle for third with Lance Stroll. Shortly after I had overtaken him, I almost crashed into the barriers. Thus, Lance was able to overtake me again, but I finally went past him soon after that.”