Callum Ilott (Prema Powerteam) is the winner of the sixth race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season at the 5.793 kilometres long Formula 1 track in the royal park of Monza. The Brit finished ahead of his compatriot Lando Norris (Carlin), who was the best-placed rookie in the field. Third across the line in fine spring weather was German Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam). In the FIA Formula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings, Swede Joel Eriksson (Motopark) remains in the lead. Following his fourth-place finish, his margin over Lando Norris as his closest rival has now been reduced to only one point.
Callum Ilott already laid the foundation for his second victory of the season at the start as he moved up into the lead. Guanyu Zhou (Prema Powerteam), Lando Norris and Joel Eriksson, who had started from pole position, followed behind Ilott after the opening lap. In yet another entertaining race, McLaren junior driver Norris overtook Chinese Ferrari junior Guanyu Zhou on lap five, but turned out to be unable to decisively close the gap to race leader Ilott before the chequered flag was out. Thus, Prema driver Ilott scored his second win of the season in the home round for his Italian team.
Behind the two British drivers Ilott and Norris, Maximilian Günther had the upper hand over Joel Eriksson in a battle for the final remaining podium slot over many laps. A few laps before the finish, the Swede started a final attack, but locked up under braking and had to make do with fourth place. Ferdinand Habsburg (Carlin), Mick Schumacher (Prema Powerteam) and Pedro Piquet (Van Amersfoort Racing) secured fifth, sixth and seventh place in that order, all of them having managed to overtake Ralf Aron (Hitech Grand Prix). The Estonian eventually finished eighth ahead of Jehan Daruvala (Carlin) and Guanyu Zhou, who dropped back to tenth.
Callum Ilott (Prema Powerteam): “In the first two races, we were still having some problems. In the third race, however, things were going better after we had made some changes on the brakes. Especially in the early stages, my wheels were regularly locking up under braking. Later on, I managed to pull a slight gap ahead of my rivals. Compared to Lando, I was faster in the second sector, so that I was able to keep my margin at a consistent level for a long time.”
Lando Norris (Carlin): “In this race, my start was slightly better than before. After a few laps, I was able to overtake Guanyu Zhou, but this time, Callum was too fast for me. Especially in the second sector, I simply wasn’t good enough. Still, second place is a good result for me. Not only for me, but for the entire Carlin team, the Monza weekend has been really positive, we all have put in a strong performance.”
Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam): “Having had problems in qualifying at the start of the weekend, this podium finish now is a positive way to end it. Callum and I having scored first and third place in the home round of our team is particularly nice, of course. At the start, I gained one position and then soon became involved in the battle with Joel Eriksson, in which I eventually came out on top.”
