Ugochukwu and Ho penalised, Hedley disqualified following Spielberg Sprint Race

Following the conclusion of the FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race in Spielberg, Ugo Ugochukwu and Christian Ho have been handed post-race penalties while James Headley has been disqualified.

Firstly, Ugochukwu has received a post-race time penalty for breaching Article 27.3 of the FIA Formula 3 Sporting Regulations.

The PREMA Racing driver was summoned to the Stewards following the race after allegedly leaving the track and gaining an advantage over Car 12 of Nikola Tsolov at Turn 1.

The Stewards heard from both drivers and their team representatives following the Sprint, and video evidence was analysed. It was determined that Tsolov had his front axle alongside the mirrors of Car 3 prior to the apex at Turn 1, earning himself rights to the corner in accordance with the Formula 3 Driving Standards Guidelines.

Ugochukwu was left with sufficient room on corner exit, but left the circuit, retaining the position ahead of Car 12 and gaining a lasting advantage in the process.

As a result, Ugochukwu has been handed a 10-second time penalty. With the application of the time penalty, he falls from P3 to 16th in the results. It promotes Tsolov up to third position.

Secondly, AIX Racing’s James Hedley has been disqualified from the Sprint Race.

The driver of Car 26 arrived in parc fermé and exited the car, failing to reattach the steering wheel. Headley then entered parc ferme once more in an attempt to refit the steering wheel, breaching Article 45.1 of the FIA Formula 3 Sporting Regulations, which states that: “Only those officials charged with supervision may enter the parc fermé. No intervention of any kind is allowed there unless authorised by such officials”.

After hearing from the team representative and driver, the Stewards acknowledged that the driver had only attempted to refit the steering wheel, but had violated parc fermé in the process.

As a result, Car 26 has been disqualified from the results, and all cars that finished behind are moved up one position in the final classification.

Finally, DAMS Lucas Oil’s Christian Ho has been awarded a grid penalty.

The Singaporean driver made contact with Car 8 at Turn 3 during the Sprint Race. He was subsequently handed a 10-second time penalty, however, with Ho not classified in the Sprint results, his penalty has been converted into a five-place grid drop.

Ho will serve the penalty at the next race in which he competes.