With his third victory of the season in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Daniel Ticktum (Motopark) also took over the lead in the drivers’ standings. At the 7.004 kilometres long Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Belgian Ardennes, the Red Bull junior driver finished ahead of Fabio Scherer (Motopark). For the Swiss rookie driver, it was his maiden FIA Formula 3 European Championship podium finish. Jehan Daruvala (Carlin) secured third place. Ralf Aron (PREMA Theodore Racing), who had only taken the lead in the drivers’ standings a few hours earlier, lost it again as he didn’t score any points in the 14th race of the season due to an accident.

Mick Schumacher (PREMA Theodore Racing) started the race from pole position, but the German didn’t get very far. After the start, he already slowed down after contact with Guanyu Zhou (PREMA Theodore Racing) and eventually retired in the pits. Ralf Aron had the best start and returned from the opening lap while in the lead from Jüri Vips (Motopark) and Robert Shvartzman (PREMA Theodore Racing). One lap later, Vips overtook Aron, only for the two Estonians to collide in the battle for the lead on lap four. Fabio Scherer benefited from the accident and initially led the field from Shvartzman and Daniel Ticktum. Only two laps later, the Brit worked his way past the Russian for second and gradually closed the gap to the race-leading Swiss.

From lap eight onwards, there was a battle for the lead that changed hands three times in total. Eventually, Ticktum came out on top, Scherer crossed the finish line in second place. Jehan Daruvala, who managed to close the gap to Ticktum and Scherer in the closing stages, was classified third. Thus, the Indian scored his third consecutive podium finish.

Shvartzman secured fourth place from Enaam Ahmed (Hitech Bullfrog GP), Marcus Armstrong (PREMA Theodore Racing), Sacha Fenestraz (Carlin), Nikita Troitckii (Carlin), Jonathan Aberdein (Motopark) and Ferdinand Habsburg (Carlin).

Daniel Ticktum (Motopark): “The battle with Fabio was good and fair. Nevertheless, it wasn’t easy to beat him. I have to admit that I hadn’t expected such a fierce duel. We both did our utmost and we were at the limit. Having now also moved up into the lead of the drivers’ standings is nice, but actually, I am taking it from one race to another.”

Fabio Scherer (Motopark): “Being on the FIA Formula 3 European Championship winners’ podium for the very first time is a nice feeling. Still, I think that victory would have been within reach for me as well. When I saw Daniel getting closer and closer behind me, it wasn’t a nice feeling. He then was able to overtake me, but I managed to counter successfully. Then, my tyres slightly degraded and I made a slight mistake, so that I ended up second. Generally, I am happy with the way I have improved over the past races.”

Jehan Daruvala (Carlin): “I have worked my way up from twelfth on the grid to third. Especially in the opening stages, it was a bit turbulent, so that I was able to move up six places. I don’t even know exactly how I did it. As Daniel and Fabio were battling in front of me, I was able to close up to them towards the end. However, there was nothing more I could do.”