Alex Smolyar has been served a crushing blow in the form of a post-race five second time penalty, which has cost him his first ever FIA Formula 3 win, following today’s Race 2 at Silverstone.

Smolyar has been penalised for changing direction down the straight between corners 14 and 15, in order to break the tow between himself and Beckmann in P2. 

The stewards determined that the ART driver did this for several laps, up to and including Lap 16. This violates the rule against manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers. 

The Russian’s demotion hands David Beckmann his second win in F3, and awards Alex Peroni his second podium. The ART Grand Prix does retain a points finish, dropping down to sixth place, behind Logan Sargeant. 

Smolyar loses maiden F3 win, Beckmann promoted to first