Talking points from Budapest

With the dust settled at the end of another enthralling FIA Formula 3 race weekend, at Budapest in Hungary, we take a look at five talking points from the track.

Lundgaard lays down a marker

Budapest seemed like a coming of age for Christian Lundgaard. The Danish ace has enjoyed a steady campaign to date, with flutters of his obvious talent coming out in a podium at Barcelona and fifth in Silverstone. However, up until Round 5, he was yet to deliver that elusive win he so dearly craved.

The Renault F1 junior made the perfect start in Hungary, racing to P1 in Free Practice. Lundgaard continued that form into Qualifying, scoring a time nearly an entire minute quicker for pole – he was exactly 0.010s off that feat.

Come the end of Race 1 he was screaming: “Yes boys! Finally, come on!” down the team radio, having led convincingly from the moment he set off. It was a stylish drive from a man we expect to see much more of on the podium in the second part of the season.

Armstrong breaks his duck

F3 had two new winners this race weekend and both had been knocking on the door for a while. Marcus Armstrong was a talking point going into the fifth round, having spent 26 more laps than any other driver in the top three, without making the top step.

The Kiwi had already tasted champagne, but knew it would be all the sweeter if he finished at the front. Beating off a challenge from Round 4 winner Leonardo Pulcini at the start, the Ferrari Academy driver stormed to a 12s lead over the course of the 22 laps.

The young racer is clearly quick over one lap and we’ve seen that all season, but following his performance in Hungary, it appears as if he has now added a defensive string to his bow.

The race is on

Two new race winners and a mixture of teams on the podium has seen the standings handed a shake-up and it is now insanely tight at the top. Jehan Daruvala has been knocked from second by the continually imposing presence of Jüri Vips, who is now a mere 12 points from first.

The Estonian’s double P4 finish across the weekend saw him leap up the order, which was aided by Robert Shwartzman and Daruvala’s difficulties across a frustrating weekend in the F3 PREMA camp – for cars 27 and 28 that is.

Both drivers finished one of the races outside of the points, with Daruvala managing just 11th in Race 1 after a miserable Qualifying session. Shwartzman then suffered a DNF in Race 2 after a collision with Felipe Drugovich.

This adds to the tension going into the second part of the season with all to play for at the top end. Just 20 points separate the top three, and only six more separate 3rd and 4th.

Back on form

Ahead of the inaugural FIA Formula 3 campaign, ART Grand Prix had been expected to be amongst those who led the charge – quite rightly considering their dominance in the old GP3 series. However, it hasn’t quite panned out that way.

The Dutch squad have still been impressive during their first outing in the new category, but a total of 43 points across the three rounds leading up to Hungary isn’t title winning form. In Budapest however, they looked at their scintillating best, dominating Free Practice, Qualifying and Race 1, before earning solid points in Race 2 as well.

Lundgaard led the charge, but Max Fewtrell also secured a P2 finish during the weekend to add to their tally, making it their most successful round of the campaign to date, with 55 points - six more than they achieved in Round 1.

Sitting just 18 points behind 2nd placed Hitech Grand Prix in the Teams’ Championship, they will now have their eyes firmly set on beating them come the season’s end.

Summer break

Given how tight it is becoming at the top, the drivers have given us plenty to ponder over the summer break, following an awesome start to the maiden F3 season. The 30-strong grid have provided corner-to-corner action and it shows no signs of letting up.

In the meantime, we won’t going anywhere, with plenty of fresh content coming your way across our website and social media channels to keep you all up-to-date with what is going on in the Road to F1.

There will be in-depth interviews and fun features, as well as any breaking news stories within the paddock, so plenty to feast your eyes over to ensure that you get your F3 fix.