MOTORSPORT: Aussie wins F3 title
Piastri secures three-point win after key rival crashes outAustralian Oscar Piastri has taken the next step to Formula 1 by winning the FIA International Formula 3 championship at Mugello.
The Renault-backed, Mark Webber-managed Melbourne driver entered the last race of the year tied on points for first place with Prema Racing teammate Logan Sargeant, who had the advantage of starting fifth on the grid while Oscar Piastri qualified 11th.
But Sargeant clashed with two other drivers at the second corner, ending his chances and leaving Piastri to worry about his only other title rival, ART driver Theo Pourchaire.
After climbing to seventh at the start, 19-year-old Oscar Piastri fell back to 10th after the safety car period called to clean up the Sargeant mess ended.
Pourchaire charged forward to third to give himself a shot at the title, but Piastri also kept moving forward, claiming seventh at the line to ensure the three-point win.
“I’m super happy to win the FIA Formula 3 Championship. It’s been a fast season – not the most straightforward, but we did just enough in today’s race to seal the deal,” said Piastri.
“Today’s race was chaotic. I had a really good start and I saw Logan [Sargeant] go off so I knew I had him covered. It’s not the way I wanted it to go for him, but I guess that’s the game.
“Theo [Pourchaire] was quick and I had to keep pushing to combat his speed and make as many positions as I could.
“We just about held on, so I’m very happy to have won it! I’d like to say thanks to Prema Racing for all their hard work through the year, the Renault Sport Academy for their support and my sponsors. We’ll continue to push ready for the next challenge.”
Piastri ends the COVID-compacted 2020 F3 season with two wins and six podiums to his name and is also becoming the first Australian driver to secure the FIA F3 title.
Piastri has now lifted back to back junior racing championships, having also won the Formula Renault Eurocup trophy last year. The title opened the door for the Melburnian to join the Renault Sport Academy at the start of 2020.
Sadly, the other three Australians didn’t star in the two races at Mugello over the weekend. Both times out Jack Doohan was agonisingly close to scoring his first points, while Alex Peroni and Calan Williams were further back.
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