Ernesto Rivera secured his maiden victory in FIA Formula 3 with a determined drive to the top step in the Sprint Race at the Red Bull Ring.
The Campos Racing driver started from P2 and having trailed race leader James Wharton in the opening phase of the race, began to apply the pressure to the reverse grid polesitter.
After several earlier attempts were rebuffed by the PREMA Racing driver, Rivera finally made his move, using DRS to draw alongside the Australian on the run to Turn 4.
He positioned his Campos smartly to deny Wharton a chance of defending into the right-hander and sealed the place on corner exit.
From there, the Red Bull Junior Team driver went untroubled to take his first win in the championship at his “home event” as a junior driver for the F1 team the circuit shares its name with.
Pedro Clerot secured P2 for Rodin Motorsport after an incredible final lap. The Brazilian started the final tour in fourth place but made a bold dive down the outside of Jin Nakamura at Turn 3 to earn third.
He then got a great exit and, with DRS, surged by Wharton for P2. Nakamura was also able to take a place from Wharton at Turn 4 to knock the PREMA driver down to fourth.
Elsewhere, title contender Freddie Slater suffered Turn 1 contact with TRIDENT teammate Noah Stromsted that left him out of the race, while championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu extended his advantage by a single point courtesy of a P10 finish.
For a detailed report on the FIA F3 Sprint Race from Spielberg, head to the official website here.
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