Ugochukwu beats Slater to win first FIA F3 feature race of 2026

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Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd

Ugo Ugochukwu claimed his maiden FIA Formula 3 victory within the feature race in Melbourne.

The first feature race of the season ended behind the protection automotive after a late race incident for Michael Shin.

Campos Racing driver Ugochukwu had a niche of over seven seconds when the protection automotive was introduced out with three laps remaining. He wasn’t compelled to defend a final lap problem from Freddie Slater, because the incident couldn’t be cleared in time for the race to restart. 

Ugochukwu initially slipped backwards after beginning second on the grid. Slater made the very best begin from third and shot into second. He additionally managed to get alongside pole-sitter Theophile Nael, however Nael held onto the lead.

When the Drag Reduction System was activated, Ugochukwu was shut sufficient behind Slater to take second, after which charged after team-mate Nael. He handed to take the race lead on lap 4

The two Campos Racing drivers and Slater stayed collectively however, earlier than Slater may problem, the protection automotive was introduced out after Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi had gone off at Turn 12 and are available to a cease alongside the limitations.

Racing resumed on lap 12 however the order remained the identical on the prime of the order. Ugochukwu step by step pulled away from Nael, who had Slater and Noah Stromsted on his tail.

Nael defended strongly, regardless of choosing up a five-second penalty for a false begin. The defence allowed Ugochukwu to pull even additional away earlier than Slater lastly discovered a approach by means of for second. 

Before Slater may shut the hole to the chief, an incident additional down the order introduced out hte second security automotive of the day.

Brando Badoer and Matteo de Palo had been preventing additional down the order after they made slight wheel-to-wheel contact. De Palo was despatched right into a spin however managed to proceed. As he rejoined the monitor, Shin took to the surface to strive to get round de Palo. There wasn’t sufficient grip for Shin to maintain on, and the Hitech driver made heavy contact with the limitations and got here to a cease on monitor.

With the race ending behind the protection automotive, Nael’s penalty triggered him to tumble down the order. He completed third on monitor however twelfth within the corrected timings. Stromsted additionally had a penalty of 10s, having been deemed at fault for an earlier incident whereas battling with Nicola Lacorte. Lacorte additionally had a five-second penalty for a begin infringement.

Taito Kato was promoted to third place on his debut F3 weekend, forward of dash race winner Bruno del Pino, who slipped backwards at first however stayed out of bother to recuperate to fourth. 

Kato’s ART Grand Prix team-mate Maciej Gładysz had a robust begin to the race, and was working fourth after the first security automotive. He slipped backwards by means of the second half of the race, however the penalties meant he completed fifth, adopted by Enzo Deligny and Brad Benavides. 

Pedro Clerot, Jin Nakamaura and Mattia Colnaghi full the highest 10.

Prema withdrew each James Wharton and Louis Sharp prior to the race following their heavy collision in Saturday’s dash contest, with the workforce citing medical recommendation.

Race outcomes (23 laps)