At the GP circuit that was re-opened in May 2011, Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) wants to defend the championship lead he regained only in the previous race meeting. Meanwhile, his biggest rival in the battle for the title, the only 17-year old Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing), will try as hard as he can to once again replace the 21-year old Southern Italian as championship leader. And behind them, Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam) is waiting for his chance of making it to the very top.

The gaps between the top three underline that the racing in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship currently is extremely close. The lead of Antonio Giovinazzi over Charles Leclerc amounts to only 7.5 points and the gap of third-placed Felix Rosenqvist to championship leader Giovinazzi adds up to just 27 points. So, Leclerc and Rosenqvist will really go for it. And the Swede has particularly fond memories of the Red Bull Ring as he won all three races of the Austrian FIA Formula 3 European Championship race weekend in 2013. But Giovinazzi, also likes racing at the Austrian GP circuit. In 2014, it was the venue of his first two FIA Formula 3 European Championship poles and his first race win in the series. For Leclerc, however, it’s a Formula 3 debut at the Red Bull Ring. To date, he raced at the circuit only in Formula Renault 2.0 and hasn’t completed a single lap with a Formula 3 vehicle, there.

Due to the fact that he broke his right arm while mountain biking, Nicolas Pohler (Double R Racing) won’t be able to contest the Austrian FIA Formula 3 European Championship meeting. His number 18 Dallara car will be raced by Brazilian Matheus Leist (Double R Racing) who otherwise is contesting the British Formula 4 for Double R Racing. With five podiums under his belt, Leist currently holds fourth position in the championship. Before coming to Europe and joining Double R Racing, he already gathered first single-seater racing experience in the Brazilian Formula 3.