Spa-Francorchamps, four title contenders covered by seven points
After the challenging Hungaroring event, where two of the top four drivers in points failed to score points, the FIA Formula 3 Championship will face another pivotal challenge this weekend. The series will line up at the legendary Walloon venue of Spa-Francorchamps, located in the forest area that separates Belgium from Germany.
Very changeable weather is expected, as often happens in the region. It will be key to understand the weather variables and the technical aspects to overcome an extremely demanding challenge on a circuit that requires a perfect compromise between the fast sectors one and three, and the middle one, which is more technical and requires greater downforce.
The Trident Motorsport technical staff knows the Belgian track, which is the longest of the season at over seven kilometers, very well and has carried out careful preparation work together with the drivers. After the Spa-Francorchamps round, the ninth of the season, only the Monza finale will be left for grabs.
Leonardo Fornaroli lands at Spa-Francorchamps with seven points from the top of the standings. The 19-year-old Italian was the only championship contender to improve his points score consistently in Budapest, where he achieved P3 in qualifying and concluded the Feature Race on the lowest step of the podium coming from P7 in the Sprint Race.
Sami Meguetounif is holding P12 in the championship and will be looking for his second podium of the season after his Imola win. The 20-year-old from Marseille could not maximize his third-row qualifying result in the Budapest Feature Race due to a puncture. Santiago Ramos, who was fifth in qualifying and in the Feature Race at Hungaroring, also has the potential to aspire to his first podium of the season, having two top-5s as his best result.
Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager: “It's always very challenging to compete at Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most demanding and complete tracks of the season. It's a place where you need to do a perfect job to make a difference. The weather will be an additional variable that can turn out to be decisive, as we saw at Silverstone. We line up in Belgium with great determination and the goal of putting up a competitive weekend. We have Leonardo Fornaroli in full fight for the title. He has five podiums this year, claimed a pole position, and has what it takes to perform at the Walloon track. Sami Meguetounif and Santiago Ramos also have the potential to deliver a high-level weekend. It will require maximum commitment and consistency on their part too."
The FIA Formula 3 Championship will start its weekend with the 45-minute practice on Friday at 9:55. Qualifying is scheduled on the same day at 15:05. The Sprint Race will be on Saturday at 9:50. The Feature Race, which will conclude the weekend, will start on Sunday at 8:30.