PREMA Racing conducted its first on-track test session in IndyCar earlier this week, allowing both of its drivers to turn laps around The Thermal Club.

The test was just as much of a challenge for the team as it was for the drivers, with all aspects of the operation being evaluated in a hot track scenario.

Callum Ilott, being the veteran of the group on account of his two-plus seasons driving in IndyCar, helped the group assemble proper procedures across the board.

His car suffered a small mechanical issue, however, and he was not able to get proper runs under his belt until the afternoon.

His rookie team-mate Robert Shwartzman had no such troubles to deal with, and very quickly showed that he has the skills to match his assignment.

Shwartzman’s fastest lap was only 0.175 seconds slower than the best set by any driver, which speaks as much to PREMA’s preparation as it does the 25-year-old’s abilities.

Overall, it was a successful first outing for the newcomer team as they prepare to enter one of the most competitive series around.

Andretti setting the pace

In addition to PREMA’s two drivers, four other drivers took to the track to get an early start on the 2025 season.

Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson was the quickest driver of the day, setting the unofficial fastest time during the session.

The Swede, who has put on nearly 10 pounds of muscle over the break and drives on a simulator almost daily, was quite pleased with his early pace.

Andretti’s two other drivers were also present, with Kyle Kirkwood and Colton Herta each turning laps in their respective cars.

Kirkwood turned the second fastest lap around the 3.067-mile course, and Herta was fifth on the timesheets.

Jacob Abel also turned his first official laps with Dale Coyne Racing, and spent a majority of the day perfecting the art of pit stops and proper communication while out on track.

He will be in contention for the Rookie of the Year title again Shwartzman and the impressive IndyNXT champion Louis Foster, who is stepping up to the top series with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

A full field IndyCar test is scheduled for mid-February from Sebring, then a couple weeks after that the season gets underway properly on the streets of St. Petersburg.

The post PREMA completes first on-track IndyCar test session appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Romain Grosjean will not be racing as a full time driver in the NTT IndyCar Series in 2025, but will fill a reserve role at PREMA Racing.

PREMA announced the news at a kick-off event for its 2025 debut in the series on Friday, where it detailed plans for the upcoming season.

Grosjean has been racing in IndyCar for the past four seasons after nine full seasons competing in Formula 1.

The Frenchman started with Dale Coyne Racing on the series’ road courses in 2021, then advanced to a full schedule while racing for Andretti Autosport and Juncos Hollinger Racing.

He secured a best finish of second place five separate times, but was never quite able to climb onto the top step of the podium.

He also suffered from rough relationships with his team-mates which led to multiple bouts of visible anger being directed at his colleagues.

Starting in 2025, Grosjean will be a reserve driver for PREMA and will be tasked with supporting the team’s primary drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Schwartzman as they help get the new team off the ground.

PREMA will also have behind-the-scenes support from former race-winning driver Ryan Briscoe.

Briscoe competed in IndyCar from 2005 to 2015, and will now serve as the team’s Sporting Director as it finds its way in the new series.

“For Ryan, it’s full circle,” said Piers Philips, PREMA IndyCar CEO. “He started his single seater career with PREMA, and now he’s back with us.

“Ryan’s joined us in a sporting advisory role, and we’re very, very fortunate to have him. Ryan’s going to help myself, help Rene, help the drivers be that face and [give them] words of wisdom. Also work with the engineering team to make sure we achieve everything we can in the shortest possible time.

“And obviously having Romain, he’s our reserve driver. We are incredibly privileged to have him in the team as well. Really looking forward to some successful times ahead.”

PREMA’s first on track action in IndyCar comes at the beginning of March with a race around the streets of St. Petersburg.

The post Romain Grosjean shifts to reserve role with PREMA’s IndyCar effort appeared first on Motorsport Week.

PREMA Racing held a kick-off event on Friday afternoon, revealing more details of its upcoming debut in the NTT IndyCar Series in the 2025 season.

The team, which has raced in European open wheel competition for 40 years, is preparing to compete on American soil for the first time in less than two months’ time.

Personnel have been hard at work completing a new race shop in Fishers, Indiana, filling out the 100,000 square feet of space with all the tools, benches, and equipment needed to run at a high level.

PREMA gathered at a Chevrolet facility in North Carolina to reveal more details about the effort, including showing off the car’s livery and race suit designs for its two drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Schwartzman.

Both feature color combinations that are familiar to fans of the team’s European efforts, with red, green, and white making up the scheme.

“It’s just such an amazing family environment,” said Ilott, wearing his new race suit. “Such a special team to be a part of. They welcomed us back with open arms and now we’re here starting a new adventure.

“After the last 12 months, once I heard [the team’s intent to race in IndyCar], I knew they were going to make a statement in some way, shape, or form. Hopefully this is the first day we can show you what kind of statement we’re going to make.”

A new challenge

PREMA’s efforts have been supported by many in the IndyCar paddock including CEO Mark Miles, who was in attendance on Friday to help kick off the team’s efforts.

The team has been given simulator time on Chevrolet’s simulators and has been following the manufacturer’s advice in regards to setting up a process for collecting data and implementing changes in the power plant.

PREMA also announced that race-winning IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe will take on the role of Sporting Director and will be advising the team managers, drivers, and engineers on how to get the most out of their relationship.

In addition, Romain Grosjean will serve as the team’s reserve driver.  The Frenchman has been racing in IndyCar for the past four seasons, and will be able to provide valuable support to the team’s two car effort.

The presentation was done professionally, and appeared to be representative of the dedication that will be put into its IndyCar debut a short time from now.

The first race of the 2025 season, and the first race of PREMA’s foray into American open wheel motorsports, takes place on the streets of St. Petersburg on March 2nd.

The post PREMA officially launches IndyCar program ahead of series debut appeared first on Motorsport Week.

FIA Formula 3 graduates Gabriele Mini and Luke Browning lead the latest driver announcements as the 2025 Formula 2 grid takes shape.

Mini and Browning both starred in this year’s F3 title chase with Prema and Hitech respectively, finishing second and third respectively in the Drivers’ Championship.

Both have since made their debuts in F2, Mini with Prema in Azerbaijan and Browning with ART Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

In 2025, they will represent Prema and Hitech on the final rung of the Formula 1 support ladder.

Mini, 19, standing in for Oliver Bearman at the Baku City circuit impressed, finishing third in the Sprint race on debut.

It’s unsurprising then that Prema wants to continue its relationship with the young Italian via a full F2 campaign in 2025.

“We are thrilled to continue working with Gabriele,” said Prema Team Principal Rene Rosin.

“We always kept him in very high regard, and after getting back with him for FIA F3, we are already looking forward to making the next step together.

“Having an early start was a great opportunity for both, especially because we have maximised it with some impressive results.

“Preparations for the year ahead have already started and the early signs are definitely promising.”

Mini, a member of the Alpine F1 Academy set-up, said: “[I’m] very happy to be joining PREMA in FIA F2 and to keep working together for another season.

“We showed excellent potential and speed throughout the whole year in Formula 3. After the great run at Baku, I hope we will keep working that way to try and fight at the front end of the championship again.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I want to thank All Road Management, Alpine, and everyone involved.”

Luke Browning and Hitech targeting 2025 F2 title

During his six-race spell in F2 this year with ART GP, Browning scored two top-10 finishes but returns to Hitech in 2025.

Hitech founder Oliver Oakes manages Browning’s affairs, having supported him since 2022 and the Williams Academy driver paid thanks to the Alpine Team Principal upon announcing his 2025 plans.

“I’m so happy that I’ll be racing in F2 with Hitech next season,” said Browning. “I’ve been through every category of single seater racing with this team and to be able to complete the ladder with them is incredibly important and special for me.”

“I would like to thank Oliver Oakes in particular for his support throughout the last three seasons. There is nothing I want more than to win the F2 Championship with this group of people around me, and that is our goal for 2025.”

Hitech Team Manager Clive Hatton added: “After three seasons with Hitech, Luke has worked closely with the team at every stage of his journey up the single-seater ladder. We’re extremely proud of his progression to F2, and to see him get his competitive F1 debut last week in Abu Dhabi.

“With Luke getting the opportunity to step up to Formula 2 for the final three rounds of the current season, coupled with the experience he has gathered from his Formula 1 Free Practice, and the Young Driver Test this week, we couldn’t have wished for better preparation for his 2025 campaign.

“Luke and Hitech share the same objective for 2025 – to win the Formula 2 Championship – and we have no doubt that he will be fighting for victories every step of the way.”

Sami Meguetounif sticks with Trident for rookie F2 campaign

Sami Meguetounif is joining Mini and Browning in jumping up to F2 for a rookie campaign in 2025.

Meguetounif will continue with the Trident team with which he embarked on his rookie F3 campaign this year, scoring two race victories.

He will partner Max Esterson at the Italian team in 2025.

“I am very happy and excited to make my debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Team Trident,” said Meguetounif. “When I made my debut in Formula 3 with the Italian team twelve months ago, I did not think I would grow so quickly.

“This year I have worked with strong, intelligent and determined people. We have had an incredible season, which has allowed me, also thanks to two wonderful victories, to convince those who support me that it was time to move up a ladder. I can’t wait to take part in the Formula 2 post-season tests and enter a new phase of my career.”

Trident Team Manager Giacomo Ricci added: “We are very pleased to announce that Sami Meguetounif will compete with Trident Motorsport in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship. We had the pleasure of working with Sami this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, obtaining remarkable results, as he has proven to be a winning driver. The move to the higher category represents a natural step at this stage of his career. I am sure that Sami has all the qualities to learn quickly and have a competitive season.”

Roman Stanek and Kush Maini join Invicta and DAMS

Elsewhere, Czech driver Roman Stanek will join 2024 F2 Teams’ Champion Invicta Racing for his third season in the series next year.

Stanek’s F2 journey began with Trident in 2022 and yielded a Sprint Race victory in Melbourne this year before he was replaced by Christian Mansell after the Italian round at Monza.

The 20-year-old welcomes 2024 F3 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli as a team-mate next year and said “I can’t wait to drive for Invicta Racing in 2025. The team has been fighting at the front of the field all season, achieved some really great results and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable options in the paddock for next year.

“That means there’ll be some pressure for Leonardo [Fornaroli] and I, but I think we’re up to the challenge. I’m ready for whatever F2 throws at me in 2025.”

Invicta Racing Team Principal Andy Roche added: “We’re thrilled to have Roman onboard for 2025. His experience of F2 in recent years, as well as the other series he’s raced in will be invaluable to Invicta Racing in 2025.

“I see the partnership between himself and Leonardo being extremely fruitful as well. That mix of approaches from a driver who knows the ropes and one fresh to the series will push the team forward, of that I have no doubt.”

Stanek’s signing at Invicta fills a seat left by Kush Maini, who will switch to DAMS in 2025 for his third F2 campaign, having thus far achieved

“I’m thrilled to be joining a team with such a strong pedigree and history in Formula 2 like DAMS Lucas Oil,” said Maini.

“I feel like my story in this championship isn’t completed yet, and I know that this is the right crew to help me further my career.

“I’ve taken pole positions and won races, so now it’s all about consistently delivering over the course of a campaign.

“I can’t wait to get started this week with post-season testing alongside Jak, and to form an experienced team as we look to battle for the championship in 2025.”

Dams Team Owner Charles Pic added: “We’re pleased to confirm Kush for next year as he’s a talented driver who has shown excellent raw speed throughout his time in the series.

“We know that together with our experienced team we can find the correct balance and ensure Kush has a consistent level of performance.

“We believe with Jak [Crawford] and Kush that we have a very strong partnership, which can help us to consistently fight at the front of the grid in 2025.”

READ MORE – Exclusive: Williams Academy Driver Luke Browning is targeting the 2025 F2 title

The post Gabriele Mini and Luke Browning lead 2025 F2 driver announcements appeared first on Motorsport Week.

PREMA has announced that Robert Shwartzman will pilot one of the two cars for the team’s maiden season competing in the NTT IndyCar Series.

An Israeli-Russian national, Shwartzman climbed through the Formula 3 and Formula 2 ladder while racing for PREMA.

He finished second in the 2021 F2 championship, and has spent the past three years as a test and reserve driver for the Ferrari F1 team. He has completed a few FP1 sessions while looking for an opening in the exclusive series.

This announcement will see Shwartzman change gears and come race in America’s top open wheel series with a team he is intimately familiar with.

“I’m definitely very very excited to be back at PREMA to start a new adventure in IndyCar,” said Shwartzman.

“Everything will be new to us and there will be many challenges, but it will also be a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time. I think a very successful future lies ahead for us.

“IndyCar is a very competitive series, with so many strong drivers, and I’m looking forward to the racing, as it looks really cool. I have never driven on ovals and to master them, it will be a completely new challenge.

“However, with PREMA we achieved a lot in the past, and I think that my F1 and Endurance experience will be helpful to make us evolve fast and get up to speed quickly.”

A new path for Shwartzman

Shwartzman has completed a solitary IndyCar test outing with Chip Ganassi Racing at the start of 2023, but has not competed in any race weekends to this point.

He will be paired alongside Callum Ilott, a veteran of IndyCar and also a former PREMA driver, who will be able to guide him on the particulars of the competitive series.

Ilott will also be able to give Shwartzman tips about driving on ovals, which will be a completely new experience for the 25-year-old.

“We are extremely delighted to welcome Robert back to the PREMA family,” said team owner Rene Rosin.

“We have had some exceptional seasons together, winning a lot of races and the 2019 FIA F3 title, and we also thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He is an extremely talented driver and I think that, by working together, we will be able to overcome the steep learning curve that lies ahead of us.

“I cannot wait to see him and Callum compete under the PREMA banner again.”

Shwartzman’s first race will be the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2, but will likely complete one or two test sessions before then.

The post Robert Shwartzman announced for PREMA’s second IndyCar seat appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Brando Badoer has joined McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, conjoined with signing for Prema Racing for next season’s Formula 3 championship.

The 18-year-old has impressed the Woking outfit after a year’s evaluation and has exercised its option to sign Badoer permanently, joining the likes of former alumni Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Nyck de Vries.

Badoer also sees his relationship with Prema continue into F3 for next year after impressing in this season’s Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with the Italian squad.

With two rounds of the FRECA series left, Badoer currently sits fifth in the standings after a string of impressive drives, including a run of six podiums in succession.

In a statement released by McLaren, Badoer said: “I am excited to join the McLaren Driver Development programme. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join a team with such a great racing heritage and a proven record for developing talent.

“Competing in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing will help continue my progression and I’d like to thank the whole team at McLaren for their support. I can’t wait to learn from the team’s guidance and get racing in the team’s iconic colours.”

In Prema’s statement, Team Principal Rene Rosin said: “Brando is a very interesting prospect, and we are delighted to give him an opportunity for 2025.

“We have kept an eye on him because we noticed his potential from F4 to FRECA, and we saw him make an impressive step this season.

“Formula 3 will be challenging, as it usually is, but he has the right attitude to quickly gel with the team and series.”

Badoer is following in the footsteps of his father Luca, who raced sporadically in Formula 1 between 1993 and 2009, driving for teams including Minardi and Forti, as well as a long and successful spell as a test driver for Ferrari.

The post Brando Badoer joins McLaren Driver Development Programme appeared first on Motorsport Week.

McLaren Development Driver Ugo Ugochukwu has been promoted to Prema Racing’s FIA Formula 3 squad for the 2025 season.

The 17-year-old, who was signed to McLaren’s Driver Development Programme whilst still karting in 2021, has been competing for the Italian Prema outfit in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine this year.

He currently sits 14th in the Drivers’ standings with one weekend to go, having scored nine points finishes from 18 races, including third at the Hungaroring.

The American had finished runner-up in the 2023 Italian Formula 4 Championship with Prema, having finished third in the British F4 Championship with Carlin the year previously.

In the same year, also with Prema, he won the inaugural season of the Euro 4 Championship, winning three of the six races, competing against F2-bound Red Bull-backed British driver Arvid Lindblad.

Ugochukwu has also tested for the McLaren FIA Formula E team, placing 17th fastest out of 22 at the young rookie test at the Berlin Tempelhof Circuit in May, along with Swiss driver Grégoire Saucy.

In a statement released by Prema, Ugochukwu said: “working with all the people here is special, the chemistry is excellent and it makes the work really enjoyable on and off the track.

“We have had two positive seasons together and I’m looking forward to building on that and I’m sure we will have a good year.”

Rene Rosin, Prema Team Principal added, “we enjoyed working with Ugo in the last two years from Formula 4 to Formula Regional, and we think he has great potential.

“We are convinced that he will be a great fit for FIA Formula 3 next year in terms of approach and driving style.

“”We will soon start preparations and we look forward to helping him make a smooth and successful transition to the new series.”

The final two races of the Formula Regional championship take place at Monza on November 27th.

The post McLaren Junior Ugo Ugochukwu promoted by Prema to F3 for 2025 appeared first on Motorsport Week.

PREMA has announced Callum Ilott as its first driver to spearhead a brand new NTT IndyCar Series effort in 2025.

Ilott is no stranger to the PREMA team, finishing second in the 2020 FIA Formula 2 World Championship with the squad.

Before then he campaigned with the Italian outfit in the Formula 3 European Championship and GP3 series, making him the perfect candidate to bring PREMA’s IndyCar journey to the grid in 2025.

Ilott has amassed 38 starts in IndyCar with teams Juncos Hollinger Racing and Arrow McLaren and the 25-year-old will return to the paddock full-time next year for the first time since 2023.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to experience INDYCAR with PREMA, their first steps in the series and in the US,” the British driver said.

“What an amazing chance. I love the racing, I love these cars and I love the team, so it’s great to be back to what they call the Italian family home.

“It’s going to be something special to build off, a lot of hard work but I’m excited to join the team and see what we can do together.”

PREMA Team Owner Rene Rosin added, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Callum back with us for this new chapter of our history.

“We had a great time working with him in Formula 3, and we always kept an eye on him after that.

“He proved to be a great fit for us in the past, and I think he will feel like picking up something he had left off.

“He proved his outstanding speed skills everywhere he competed. In addition, his prior IndyCar experience will be an invaluable asset.

“Now that the opportunity to get back together has come, we are determined to make the most out of it.”

Ilott’s return to the IndyCar paddock on a full-time basis will see him working in close collaboration with PREAM’s IndyCar CEO Piers Phillips, who said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming Callum to our INDYCAR team.

“His previous experiences in the series, combined with those with PREMA, will make him a key asset as we try to merge the team’s European heritage with what it will be able to learn in the US. We know Callum as a very talented driver, but we can also see how his professionalism has matured in the series.

“The information and feedback he will be able to share will be extremely important, as much as his impressive racing skills.”

Ilott’s 2024 campaign has predominantly taken place in the FIA World Endurance Paddock, where he achieved his maiden overall race victory with HERTZ Team Jota in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

The PREMA returnee competed in a series of stand-in performances for Arrow McLaren this year in IndyCar, including the Indy 500 where he finished 11th.

The post Callum Ilott teams up with PREMA for 2025 IndyCar assault appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Prema has revealed that Gabriele Mini will make his Formula 2 debut in Azerbaijan this weekend to replace Oliver Bearman, who will compete in Formula 1 with Haas.

Haas F1 has called upon Bearman’s services as Kevin Magnussen has attained 12 points on his FIA Superlicense over a rolling 12-month period to receive a race ban.

Bearman’s absence will see Mini slot in along with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was announced as a Mercedes F1 driver earlier this month, to represent Prema in Baku.

Mini raced with Prema in F3 this term and ended as runner-up in the championship, losing out on the title when Leonardo Fornaroli made a last-corner pass at Monza.

However, the Italian’s dismay at that decisive twist was eased as he was later excluded when the technical delegates found his car ran under minimum tyre pressures.

Mini is poised to graduate to F2 on a permanent basis in 2025, with Prema looking like the side that he will take that step with as Bearman and Antonelli ascend to F1.

“[I’m] very happy to be joining Prema Racing for the FIA Formula 2 event at Baku,” Mini expressed.

“We had a strong season in 2024, and we have been fighting for the title until the last corner.

“Formula 2 is the main option for 2025 so it’s also very important to join early at Baku. It’s a good opportunity for me to learn with the new car and series.”

Prema Team Principal Rene Rosin added: “We cannot wait to see Gabriele make his FIA Formula 2 debut.

“It’s very rewarding to see him graduate to the top junior single-seater series after making his very first steps with our team back in 2020.

“It will be a useful opportunity for both him and the team.

“On the other hand, we want to wish Ollie the best in his second Formula 1 start and we look forward to having him back for the final part of the year.”

Elsewhere, Trident has announced that Christian Mansell will take Roman Stanek’s place in the team across the remaining F2 rounds this term, starting this weekend.

Like Mini, Mansell also competed in F3 the past season and the Australian delivered an impressive campaign as he took five podiums to end up fifth in the standings.

“I can’t wait to make my FIA Formula 2 debut with Trident Motorsport,” said Mansell.

“I’m extremely happy to race with this Italian team on the Baku street circuit and in the next two events before the end of the season.

“It will be a fiery debut on a challenging track like the Azerbaijani one, but I must confess I’m more excited than nervous.”

Trident Team Manager Giacomo Ricci expressed: “We are extremely delighted to field Australian driver Christian Mansell in the next three rounds of the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

“I consider him one of the most talented emerging drivers we have seen this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, where he was in contention for the title until the final round in Monza.

“Christian is a complete driver, quick in qualifying, and extremely good at managing tyres and overtaking. Making his debut in Baku will certainly be an ambitious goal, not easy at all.

“We have carried out dedicated preparation work with him, and I am convinced that it will pay dividends, especially if there will be no interruptions in the free practice session.

“I am sure there are all the conditions to do well.”

The post Mini to replace F1-bound Bearman at Prema for Baku F2 round appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Leonardo Fornaroli stole the FIA Formula 3 championship on the final corner on the final lap from the clutches of Gabriele Mini in a stunning and ever-changing race, which was won by Sami Meguetounif.

In the battle of the two Italian youngsters, it looked as if Mini, in second place, would take the title, having overhauled his deficit late-on and had a buffer of Christian Mansell between himself and his countryman, but Fornaroli, who went all season without a single race win, made a desperate now-or-never move on Mansell at the Parabolica to steal glory.

Meguetounif was able to pull clear of the battle and take a deserved victory, with Alex Dunne fifth, Martinius Stenshorne sixth and Tim Tramnitz seventh.

Noel Leon came home in eighth, Laurens van Hoepen ninth and Dino Beganovic 10th.

HOW THE RACE UNFOLDED

At lights out, Fornaroli held firm from pole position and led into T1 with Dunne slotting in behind. Mari Boya needed to take action to avoid contact having dived deep, skidding along the grass as everyone else made their way through safely.

Dunne would then began to swarm all over the Trident for the rest of the opening lap, and on the run to the Parabolica, dived down the inside to take the lead. The Italian would not give it up easily, going side-by-side the MP down to the Rettifilo but conceded the place, no doubt thinking long-term and not necessarily needing to win the race.

By the end of the second lap, the front four of Dunne, Fornaroli, Meguetounif and Mini began to escape away. Dunne and Fornaroli continued their battle, with a rhythm starting to emerge, but as it did so, carnage ensued.

On the run into the Ascari chicane, title contender Luke Browning spun around, with others joining in sympathy, as Matias Zagazeta, Sophia Floersch, Cian Shields and Pitor Wisnicki came together at the exit. The Safety Car was deployed, with Browning making his way back to the pits for a new front wing.

The Safety Car came in and the end of lap six with Dunne leading away with Fornaroli looking for a way through. Mini was caught napping and dropped to fifth behind Mansell, who began to look interested. It looked disastrous for Mini, but the Italian would be given a reprieve in one single moment.

Fornaroli skipped over the kerbs at the exit of Ascari, losing ground and falling down to fifth, with Mini now fourth and leading the championship, but one lap later at the same corner, Fornaroli threw the Trident down the inside of Mini to reassert his championship lead.

The top six were now all swarming over each-other, with Dufek going off and down the Rettifilio escape road, and would be followed a lap later by Santiago Ramos, as Meguetounif took the lead off Dunne at the start of lap 10, with Mansell starting to come into play, taking second off Dunne at the Roggia chicane a lap later. Fornaroli and Mini maintained fourth and fifth, the championship as close as possible.

Further back, Sprint Race winner Tramnitz was starting to make some good progress, taking Ramos for sixth, as Mini closed the gap on Fornaroli with the race now beyond the halfway stage.

Into lap 15, and Fornaroli gave himself a gap from Mini as he took Dunne for third, the Prema now needing to bring himself back into play to keep up his title aspirations, which he would do so at the start of lap 16, taking Dunne on the outside of the entry to Rettifilo.

On lap 17, Ramos tried to take Tramnitz at Rettifilio, but locked-up and needing to take the escape road, conceded the position back, and his race would go from bad to worse in a matter of yards, as is Trident put two wheels on the grass into the Roggia as Stenshorne overtook him, spinning around and being sent to the back of the pack.

Lap 18, and Fornaroli threw it up the inside of Mansell, locking-up hugely but taking second. Mini was able to take Mansell himself, being told over radio that Fornaroli was “struggling”, the Trident’s tyres likely flat-spotted owing to the earlier lock-up, but Mansell looked to take the place back, but backed out of move, and with Fornaroli locking-up at Rettifilo again, Mini now looked to take the place from Curve Grande and all the way to the Roggia, but Fornaroli just held-on to second.

Now into the penultimate lap, Fornaroli, Mini and Mansell were separated by just a fraction, as Mini saw his moment and down the outside of the Rettifilo, taking second and the championship lead, as Fornaroli was now in the clutches of Mansell, who took third into the Roggia, with Mini desperately weaving to break the tow at the end of the lap, as the final lap began.

Mansell tried to take second off Mini into T1, but couldn’t get through. Fornaroli then dived down the inside of Mansell into the Roggia, both men going off and rejoining, but both staying in-touch with Mini, who again would weave into the Parabolica. Mini was now just one corner from the title, but knowing all he needed to do was overtake Mansell, Fornaroli made a last ditch lunge up the inside of the Australian, forcing the ART wide and taking third.

As Meguetounif could coast home to take victory, Fornaroli could follow Mini for third place, and the F3 championship in surely one of the most dramatic title finishes in recent memory.

The post Leonardo Fornaroli snatches F3 title at final corner as Meguetounif takes Monza Feature win appeared first on Motorsport Week.