In a thrilling Grand Prix de Pau, Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) came out on top at the 2.76 kilometres long street circuit at the foot of the Pyrenees. The Italian, who continues to lead in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings, overtook Jake Dennis (Prema Powerteam) with five laps remaining and went on to win from the two rookie drivers Maximilian Günther (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing). While German driver Günther scored his first podium finish in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Italian Giovinazzi stood on the podium for the ninth consecutive time in the nine races held so far this season.
At the start of the race, Jake Dennis took the lead from Antonio Giovinazzi. Maximilian Günther claimed third place at the start, but immediately had Charles Leclerc as a persistent rival in his rear-view mirrors. Still on the opening lap, however, Günther got some time to relax as a collision involving Kang Ling (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and Tatiana Calderón (Carlin) brought the safety car out. Racing resumed on lap five, but initially, there were no changes at the front of the field. In the final third of the race, Giovinazzi then increased his pressure on Dennis, who was still in the lead. Only a few laps later, the Brit dropped back to 23rd with a broken right rear suspension. That handed first place to Antonio Giovinazzi, who went on to take the chequered flag as the winner of the Grand Prix de Pau a few laps later.
At the finish, Maximilian Günther was probably just as happy as the winner, having managed to keep Charles Leclerc at bay throughout the race. Rookie driver Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) finished fourth from Arjun Maini (Van Amersfoort Racing), the best result for the Canadian in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship to date. Stalwart Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam), the winner of the Grand Prix de Pau in 2014, only managed to finish sixth this time, followed by the three rookie drivers Alessio Lorandi (Van Amersfoort Racing), George Russell (Carlin) and Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport). Santino Ferrucci (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) completed the top ten.
Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “Being able to win the Grand Prix de Pau, a race that so many great drivers such as Lewis Hamilton have won, is fantastic. And, of course, I am happy that I have made it onto the podium again in the ninth race of the season. However, the race wasn’t easy for me. After the start, I was second, but I didn’t want to take too many risks. After about 15 laps, I tried to put more pressure on Jake Dennis in front of me. When he had a technical problem, I overtook him and I was in the lead.”
Maximilian Günther (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport): “I am really delighted with this second place after having just missed out on a podium finish a couple of times already. My start was good and my speed was better than in the first two races here at Pau as well. This time, I was also able to control the gap to Charles, who was behind me.”
Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing): “First of all, I am happy that I didn’t lose any positions at the start for the first time this weekend. I tried to put Maximilian under pressure, but he drove a good race and didn’t give me any opportunity to overtake.”