RACE DEBRIEF

    Pedro Piquet put in a perfect performance in Race 1 of the FIA Formula 3 Spa-Francorchamps round, enjoying an immense opening lap to steal first from the usually dominant PREMA of pole-sitter Jehan Daruvala.

    The Trident racer – son of three-time Formula 1 world champion Nelson Piquet – pushed his Pirelli tyres to the limit early on to take the lead and then build a strong gap between himself and the Indian, before easing to his maiden victory in the series.

    Daruvala lost a further position to team mate Robert Shwartzman, whose second-place finish hands him a 19-point lead in the drivers’ standings. There was frustration for fellow title contender Juri Vips, who endured a frustrating morning and had to settle for P5, which drops him to third in the standings.

    The final PREMA, of Marcus Armstrong, set aside a disappointing qualifying session to rise a remarkable 11 spots and claim reverse pole for the second round in a row. The Kiwi will be aiming for his second win of the series in Sunday’s Race 2.

    For full results and more F3 news, visit the official site.