F3 Rounds 17 and 18 Mugello

[Clyde P. Puffer]

Any predictions for this coming weekend?

Surley Conway can finish things off this weekend, leaving a great scrap for second in the championship?

[Lightning Bug]

Why is British F3 racing at Mugello? More than a thousand miles away from home and no use to anyone unless they are looking at a career in the FIA GT Championship.

Having a foreign round at Spa is good, but Mugello? What's the point? At least last year when we had Monza that was a GP circuit.

Do SRO have a clue what they're doing with F3?

[kipper]

I'm guessing that the reason behind British F3's appearence at Mugello is because SRO require a couple of decent championships to act as support races for their FIA GT championship and create a much more promotable package as a result. Quite what the benefit for the F3 drivers is, for having experience of it is unlikely to be of much use in forging an F1 career. That said, I guess it will show whether a driver can learn an unusual track quickly.

[runshaw]

Why does British F3 race at Mondello? I'm sure the drivers would not consider moving to Ireland ro race in Formula Ireland.

[Suze]

Know quite a few people who love Mugello as a circuit....though I think I'd rather be at Monza.

[macsport]

Results and report from 1st qualifying are up - www.fota.co.uk
Jarvis on Pole from Bakkerud, Conway and Engel.
Second qualifying about to start and, unlike the earlier session, it's raining.
First race at 16:15 (15:15 UK time) this afternoon.

[runshaw]

Bakkerud has won his first race finally! Not a podium I would have predicted, Jelley back on the podium in second and Valerio third. Note for Alex Waters, 2nd in the National class in only his 3rd race.

[Suze]

No a surprise....the unsmiling one?

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Lightning Bug

Why is British F3 racing at Mugello?

Originally it should have been Imola, but they moved it to Mugello.

[strider]

Bruno Senna won the wet second race from Oli Jarvis and Mike Conway. Report here.

This means that Oli closed slightly on Mike, so the title is not decided, although it almost certainly will be at Silverstone next weekend. After a lean spell, Bruno has closed the gap between himself and Oli down to 5 points, so that battle could go down to the final meeting at Thruxton.

Mugello is a great circuit and, being a Ferrari test track, is a state of the art facility. The setting is fantastic, too, but the poor weather over the weekend gave few opportunities to see it.

[runshaw]

Originally Posted by sceptic

Originally it should have been Imola, but they moved it to Mugello.

I thought it was originally going to be held at Monza like it was last year?

[strider]

No, sceptic is right, it was originally going to be Imola. Sadly, Monza was never on the cards. Maybe next year...

The start of race 1 was something else. Here is an amazing photo. The outcome proved that four cars into one corner don't go.

From left to right it's Engel, Jarvis (with front wheels in the air!), Conway and eventual race winner Bakkerud.

Maro was out moments later at turn one. Oli's suspension was damaged and he retired in the pits at the end of the lap, Mike lost time, dropping to 12th but then recovering to 6th. Christian simply ran away and hid for a popular first win.