Trident in Melbourne, a lead to reinforce
The FIA Formula 3 Championship will be lining up for its longest trip of the year this weekend in Melbourne, as the second round of the series will be held on the track created inside Albert Park. Trident Motorsport made its 2024 debut with a promising result on the first weekend of March in Sakhir. The points finishes achieved by the drivers at Bahrain International Circuit allowed the Ossona-based squad to climb to the lead of the Team Championship, with a three-point advantage over its closest contender.
Leonardo Fornaroli is holding fourth place in driver points thanks to a third and a seventh place at the desert track, where the 19-year-old Piacenza native achieved his first podium of the season, the fourth in FIA F3. Bahrain delivered good results to 19-year-old Sami Meguetounif, who ended the two races in P10 and P4. Santiago Ramos was fifth in the Feature Race after a collision caused by a competitor forced the 24-year-old from Guadalajara to chase from the back of the pack in the Sprint Race. Meguetounif and Ramos are P6 and P9 respectively in the championship classification.
FIA F3 moves to Australia, on a track on which Trident Motorsport achieved pole position and victory in the main race twelve months ago with Gabriel Bortoleto, who later cruised to the title. This year, everyone will start on equal terms, but the previous experience is certainly a good omen for the team’s technical staff and drivers, who have prepared the trip to the 5,3-km Victoria State venue with attention and determination.
Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager: “We left the Bahrain International Circuit with the lead of the team rankings and with all the drivers in the top 10 of the Driver Championship. We scored good points and showed a promising level of performance. Now, our goal is to raise the bar even more in Melbourne, on a track where we did well last year. The drivers prepared the trip well, working with the usual attention to detail and determination. Maximum concentration and commitment will be needed to achieve our goals.”
The FIA Formula 3 Championship will start running on Friday at 8.50 with the 45-minute free practice session. Qualifying is scheduled for the same day, at 14. The Sprint Race will start on Saturday at 11:15. The Feature Race, which will conclude the weekend, will take place on Sunday at 9:05. The activity on the track will be fully broadcast live by Sky Sports F1. Times are local, GMT + 11.