Ernesto Rivera earns first win in Spielberg F3 sprint race

Ernesto Rivera finally claimed his maiden FIA Formula 3 victory in a beautiful, calculated performance at the Red Bull Ring. Starting from P2, the Campos Racing driver spent the opening phase stalking the leader, James Wharton. It was a proper fight, with Rivera’s early attempts rebuffed by the PREMA Racing pilot, until he finally deployed DRS on the run to Turn 4. He placed his machine perfectly to stifle any defense, sealing the lead on the exit and never looking back.

It was a stunning result for the Red Bull Junior Team driver, especially considering this was his home event. Behind him, the final lap turned into complete chaos. Pedro Clerot, driving for Rodin Motorsport, pulled off an incredible move, diving around the outside of Jin Nakamura at Turn 3 before using DRS to snatch P2 from a fading Wharton. Nakamura also managed to find a way past the PREMA driver at Turn 4, relegating him to fourth.

Elsewhere, the race was a disaster for title contender Freddie Slater, who retired after contact at Turn 1 with his TRIDENT teammate Noah Stromsted. Meanwhile, championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu kept his cool, finishing P10 to extend his advantage by a single point.