Race Report

Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana 2023
FIA F3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Circuit: Barcelona (ESP), Length 4.655 km, 2^nd – 4^th June 2023, Rounds 7 + 8
www.circuitcat.com

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2023:
Nikita Bedrin (ITA), Taylor Barnard (GB), Alejandro Garcia (MEX)

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Barnard and Bedrin in the points in Barcelona

The FIA F3 Championship held the third racing event of the season in Barcelona in the FIA F1 program of the Gran Premio de Espana 2023. It was immediately apparent how close the top-class, 30-vehicle field was.

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Qualifying

Friday, 02/06/23, 15.00 – 15.30, Weather: Cloudy, 22°C

The fifth round of the season began on Friday morning with free practice. With very warm temperatures, our drivers were ready to give their best. Taylor managed a fantastic 1^st place and led the free practice session. Nikita achieved 20^th while Alejandro reached 27^th position. The expectations before qualifying were high. In the afternoon a few clouds rolled in but the rain didn't come. The light turned green and the battle for the starting grid began. Taylor improved from run to run and secured a great second place finish on the final pushlap. Nikita and Alejandro also did a very good job and qualified 14^th and 26^th respectively. Both had clearly improved as well.

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FIA F3 Championship

Race One (Sprint-Race, 40 Minutes)

Saturday, 03/06/23, 10.30, Weather: Sunny, 22°C

On Saturday morning the sprint race got underway in agreeably warm temperatures. As the lights went out, the battles for positions began. Wheel to wheel through the first corners, Taylor was 13^th when the Safety Car had to be deployed at the end of the opening lap. Behind him, Nikita was 17^th and Alejandro was 26^th. The race got underway again and positions settled with Taylor now in 14^th, Nikita in 17^th and Alejandro in 25^th position. As considerable tyre degradation was expected all drivers drove very steadily over long laps in order to try to safe their tyres a bit longer. However, in the second half of the race various movements were attempted and got done throughout the field. Taylor went up to 11^th position and Nikita was now 14^th. Alejandro was up in 22^nd position. There were some contacts and a few cars stranded in the gravel, which brought out the Safety Car a second time. The race got underway again for the final three laps. Nikita had a stellar restart and moved up the order. When the checkered flag waved, Taylor took 11^th followed by his teammate Nikita in 12^th. Alejandro crossed the line in 24^th position. Mini and Saucy each received a time penalty after the race and our drivers moved up the results list meaning Taylor and Nikita were both in the top ten and therefore classified in the points.

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FIA F3 Championship

Race Two (Feature Race, 45 Minutes)

Sunday, 04/06/23, 09.55, Weather: Sunny, 22°C

The Feature Race got underway on Sunday morning. Starting from the second spot on the grid, Taylor had a promising start and immediately fought wheel to wheel with Marti going into Turn 1. Despite Taylor’s attempts, the British driver settled in the second position at the end of the first lap. Behind him, Nikita and Alejandro had a rather difficult start to the race and both dropped down a few positions. A Safety Car had to be deployed at the second lap due to a car stopped on track. At this moment, Taylor was still doing well in second place with Nikita in 17^th position and Alejandro in 27^th. At the restart, Taylor stayed glued to the rear of Marti but did not find an easy way to pass. After the DRS was enabled Taylor felt pressure from the following drivers. A short off track moment from Taylor made it easy for Colapinto to overtake him. Unfortunately Taylor dropped down several places. Behind him, Nikita and Alejandro were fighting hard to move up the field. When the checkered flag waved, Taylor managed to take 9^th place and two points. Nikita finished 11^th, just outside the points and Alejandro took 22^nd showing a very good progress.

We are looking forward to the next race which will take place on the weekend of 2^nd July 2023 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

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Championship standings after 8 out of 18 races:

1^st Gabriel Bortoleto, (BRA), 92 points; 2^nd Josep Maria Marti (E), 68 points; 3^rd Dino Beganovic (S), 61 points; 4^th Gabriele Mini (I), 56 points; 5^th Paul Aron (EST), 54 points; 6^th Franco Colapinto (ARG), 48 points; 13^th Taylor Barnard (GB), 16 points, 19^th Nikita Bedrin (I), 1 point

Nikita Bedrin (ITA)

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Taylor Barnard (GB)

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Alejandro Garcia (MEX)

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2023 FIA F3 Championship

¹⁾ Cancelled after heavy flooding in the region

For more information:

• www.fiaformula3.com
• www.italiaracing.net