Official F1 Journal Formula 3 Sprint Race Report - Red Bull Ring

©FIA Formula 3

Nikola Tsolov takes the sprint Victory in Austria, for his second win of the year after a three way battle against Martinius Stenshorne and ART teammate Christian Mansell.

​Luke Browning just out of reach of points today as he crossed the line in 11th, after receiving a three place grid penalty from impeding Prema driver Dino Beganovic, to start 15th in todays sprint. However starting on pole tomorrow can he re take the championship lead with Fornaroli works his way up for 24th.

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Starting on reverse grid pole Hitech's Martinius stenshorne but with lights out he's unable to keep that vital position as Christian Mansell gets a better start to take the lead going into turn one. Tsolov also passing the pole sitter on the opening lap. 

Caught in turn one chaos Beganovic takes a spin and drops down to 25th, but It wasn't long until the a safety car was brought out as Sztuka had a worse fate in the chaos. Contact by Wurz left the MP Motorsport driver with damage to his suspension. 

©FIA Formula 3

©FIA Fomula 3

The green flag was waved as the Mansell led the field into lap 5, followed by Tsolov, Stenshorne and Dunne. With DRS shortly enabled by lap 7 Tsolov had taken the lead, running round the outside of turn 3 to overtake Mansell.

Mean while Browning was also making his own moves as he was climbing towards a points finish after starting 15th. With just five points separating the Brit from the championship leader every points is vital. After a disappointing qualifying that left him 24th on the grid, Fornaroli is seen battling for position against Bedrin to take 14th, with just over have the Sprint to go.

Just passing the half way lap Tsolov was holding off his ART teammate as Mansell attempted to dive up the inside of turn 3 to take the lead but only sniffed the lead re take as Tsolov was back in front by turn 4. 
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The second yellow flag of the session was waved on lap 17 after a battle for 4th between McLaren junior drives Montoya and Dunne results in contact and Montoya in the wall. Thats the spaniard out. Else where Lindblad was able to limp back to the pits after picking up a puncture and front wing damage. 

The green flag was back out as the final 27 cars began their final lap for a shoot out finish.
Tsolov managed to keep his lead, crossing the chequered flag to gain his 2nd race win of the year. Stenshorne unable to take the lead back finished in 2nd with Mansell completing todays podium. 

Dunne, Van Hoepen, Mini, Goethe, Tramnitz, Leon and Meguetounif complete the points finishers.

©FIA Fomula 3

©FIA Fomula 3

RESULTS
TOP 10 

1 N.TSOLOV                    34:24.710
2 M.STENSHORNE         +0.673
3 C.MANSELL                  +1.244
4 A.DUNNE                      +1.647
5 L. VAN HOEPE             +3.168
6 G.MINI                           +3.496
7 O.GOETHE                   +3.751
8 T.TRAMNITZ                 +4.053
9 N.LEON                         +4.498
10 S.MEGUETOUNIF      +4.886

Bronwen Jones