Theophile Nael dominates Formula 3 Spanish Grand Prix Sprint at Madring
Theophile Nael delivered a controlled and commanding victory in the Formula 3 Spanish Grand Prix Sprint, leading home a PREMA double podium for James Wharton and Alex Powell in the first race at the Madring.
Wharton started from Sprint Pole with Nael alongside him, while championship leader Freddie Slater and title rival Ugo Ugochukwu faced difficult starting positions in 17th and ninth respectively. The opening exchanges immediately put the front row under pressure, but the decisive moment came in the early corners.
Wharton initially held the lead as the pair went wheel to wheel. Nael then moved ahead, although Wharton ran wide and retained the position. The Campos driver quickly called for the place to be returned, and on Lap 2 Wharton duly gave the position back. From there, Nael was able to dictate the race.
The Campos driver built a gap of 1.3 seconds by Lap 5, establishing the kind of clear air that allowed him to control the Sprint rather than remain locked in a prolonged fight. The result was another strong statement from Campos at a circuit where precision was immediately at a premium. For more on the weekend’s qualifying picture, read Taito Kato snatches F3 Madrid pole in Qualifying 1 by 12 milliseconds.
Penalties shape the midfield fight
While Nael stretched his advantage, the championship battle produced a contrasting picture. Slater fell to 18th and treated the Sprint as a learning experience rather than a points fight. Ugochukwu remained just outside the points, but his prospects improved as penalties affected the order.
On Lap 8, Ugochukwu had dropped out of Jin Nakamura’s DRS, with Tuukka Taponen closing behind. Track-limit violations then became a recurring factor across the grid, particularly at Turn 19. Enzo Deligny received a 10-second penalty after leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage during his battle with Nakamura. That sanction ultimately promoted Ugochukwu into the final points position.
With two laps remaining, Nael’s lead had grown to almost seven seconds. Wharton was unable to bring the Campos driver back into range, while Powell held third for a notable PREMA result after replacing Louis Sharp in Monza.
Nael took the chequered flag ahead of Wharton and Powell. Bruno Del Pino finished fourth, followed by Alessandro Giusti and Rivera. Nakamura was seventh, Ugochukwu secured three points, and Taito Kato and Taponen completed the top ten.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.