Lacorte delivers landmark Monza victory
Nicola Lacorte converted a strong home performance into a landmark FIA Formula 3 victory at Monza, giving DAMS Lucas Oil its first win in the championship. Starting from third, the Italian seized the lead during a fast-moving race and then controlled the gaps to the chequered flag.
Tuukka Taponen finished second for MP Motorsport, securing the team’s first podium of the season, while Taito Kato completed the top three for ART Grand Prix. Kato’s result followed his Sprint Race victory, covered in our report on his maiden F3 win at Monza.
A race shaped by reversals
Freddie Slater made the best initial getaway from pole, but Kanato Le defended second from Lacorte through the opening corners. The race changed complexion after the first Safety Car period, with Kato passing Lacorte and then moving ahead of Ernesto Rivera. Lacorte responded decisively, first reclaiming second and then closing rapidly on Le.
The decisive move came on Lap 10, when Lacorte took the lead from Le. Taponen soon followed through with a double overtake to rise to second, but he could not remain within DRS range for long. Lacorte’s pace and composure gave him the margin required to manage the final phase, including a late period under yellow flags after Fernando Barrichello stopped at Turn 1.
The race also proved costly for Slater. After reporting an issue over the radio, the championship leader suffered a rear-right tyre failure at the Ascari chicane and retired, prompting a second Safety Car. Rivera also stopped with a problem, while Théophile Nael received a 10-second penalty for the earlier contact that spun Ugo Ugochukwu.
Championship goes to Madrid
Ugochukwu produced the recovery drive of the race. Spun to the back at Turn 1 and classified as low as 29th, the American fought back to eighth, scoring valuable points as the championship battle moved into its final round.
Slater still leads the Drivers’ Championship with 141 points, but Ugochukwu has reduced the gap to 15 points with 126. Ernesto Rivera is third on 76, ahead of Nael on 75, while Brando Badoer and Kato share fifth on 71.
Lacorte’s victory was also the season’s 13th different winner, setting a new F3 record. “I knew I was going to be fast here in Monza but I didn’t expect to win,” he said. “The race was just perfect, good pace, that’s we deserve, since the beginning of the year, to show what the team and I are capable of.”
The season finale takes place in Madrid from September 11–13, with an additional race scheduled at the Spanish venue.
