United States Grand Prix · Debrief
Jin Nakamura takes maiden Formula 3 win at Spa after late Sprint Race charge
Jin Nakamura claims his maiden Formula 3 victory for Hitech in the Spa Sprint Race, beating Brando Badoer and Pedro Clerot after two Safety Cars.
Nakamura converts opportunity into breakthrough victory
Jin Nakamura became the first Hitech driver to win a Formula 3 race this season after securing his maiden victory in the Sprint Race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Brando Badoer finished second for Rodin Motorsport, with teammate Pedro Clerot completing the podium. The result followed a race shaped by two Safety Car interruptions and a first-lap incident involving the leading championship contenders.
The outcome delivered a significant moment for Nakamura, who had moved into second place before the opening Safety Car period and then produced the decisive pass at the restart. It also continued the competitive tension outlined in the FIA Formula 3 Spa preview.
Two Safety Cars reshape the race
Badoer made the best start from pole, keeping Clerot and Mattia Colnaghi behind through Turn 1. However, the race was neutralised on Lap 1 after Ugo Ugochukwu and Freddie Slater made contact at Les Combes. Slater was left in the gravel, while championship leader Ugochukwu pitted for repairs and returned one lap down.
Nakamura restarted second behind Badoer, with Clerot third, Colnaghi fourth and Taito Kato fifth. The Hitech driver did not wait long to make his move, sweeping past Badoer to take control of the race.
Behind the leaders, Kato fought to defend fourth while Nikola Lacorte battled Louis Sharp for 13th. Kato’s intense contest opened the door for Théophile Naël, who moved into fifth on Lap 7.
A second Safety Car followed one lap later when Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi went into the gravel and struck a styrofoam board at the exit of Turn 1. Debris on the straight forced another neutralisation, leaving only two racing laps after the restart on Lap 11.
Nakamura holds firm under pressure
Nakamura led Badoer away at the final restart and immediately established control. Kato and Naël continued their fight for fifth, with Kato eventually reclaiming the position, but the battle at the front was settled.
Nakamura crossed the finish line to claim his first Formula 3 victory. Badoer took second ahead of Clerot, while Colnaghi and Kato completed the top five.
Naël finished sixth, followed by Tuukka Taponen in seventh. Ernesto Rivera, Alessandro Giusti and Noah Strømsted secured the remaining points-paying positions. Full results are available here.