Bilinski lap reinstated, two drivers penalised after Barcelona Qualifying

Following the conclusion of FIA Formula 3 Qualifying in Barcelona, two drivers have been penalised while another has had a lap reinstated.

Firstly, Roman Bilinski has had his fastest laptime from Barcelona Qualifying reinstated following a post-session review.

The Rodin Motorsport driver set a 1:29.379 on his final attempt, a laptime that was good enough for P12 in the order, but lost the time after being judged to have exceeded track limits.

Following the session, the FIA Formula 3 Stewards reviewed video evidence sent by the Race Director, and it was determined that Car 25 had not exceeded track limits, therefore his time was reinstated.

It means Bilinski is now set to start Saturday’s Sprint Race from reverse grid pole position. ART Grand Prix driver James Wharton, who had been promoted to 12th following the lap deletion, is now set to start both races from P13.

Secondly, Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak has been given a three-place grid penalty for impeding Alessandro Giusti.

Following the Qualifying session, the Stewards spoke to both drivers and their team representatives, while also reviewing video evidence and determined that the Campos Racing driver had unnecessarily impeded Giusti on his push lap.

As a result, the Stewards have imposed a grid drop of three positions for both races this weekend, which means Inthraphuvasak is now set to start both races from P19.

Finally, Nicola Lacorte has been given a 10-place grid penalty.

The DAMS Lucas Oil driver was summoned by the Stewards after making contact with the AIX Racing car of Jose Garfias in between Turns 9 and 10.

Following a post-session investigation which involved speaking to the drivers and a team representative, as well as examining video evidence, the Stewards determined that Lacorte had been wholly to blame for the incident as he had misjudged the proximity between the two cars and caused the contact.

As a result, the Stewards have handed Lacorte a 10-place grid penalty for both the Sprint and Feature Race.

Lacorte is now set to start both races from P30 on the grid.