R04 Barcelona - FIA Formula 3 Race Preview
The FIA Formula 3 Championship is set for round 4 of 2023 this weekend. Coming from the very special Monte Carlo event, PREMA Racing is looking towards a more traditional setting at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The 4.7-kilometre circuit will see teams and drivers into action again after April's three-day test.
The Barcelona track will feature a new layout for his final sector, with a medium-fast corner replacing the chicane before the final corner in a bid to improve overtaking. Headlining the team's effort is Dino Beganovic. The Swede is running fourth in points having recently achieved second place in the Feature Race at Monte Carlo. He is currently trailed in points by fellow rookie and teammate Paul Aron, who also stood on the Feature Race podium in Monaco. The Estonian is showing positive form and has a winning history at the track, having won last year in Formula Regional there.
Zak O'Sullivan left a strong impression at Monte Carlo with a hard-fought race 2 after a tough qualifying. The British racer, who achieved his first win of the year at Melbourne, is eager to get back on the same winning pace for the upcoming event.
While the track has had plenty of testing done on it, the weather might come into play as forecasts stay difficult to predict. In terms of tyres, the slick of choice from Pirelli will be hard to deal with the abrasive asphalt of Circuit de Catalunya.
René Rosin - Team Principal
"Barcelona almost feels like a second home to us as there has been quite some racing and testing action there. However, we must keep our guard high. The new layout will be raced for the first time by F2 and F3, plus the fact that there is quite some data available means that every single aspect is crucial as everyone is really close, even closer than what normally happens in this championship. In addition, the weather might throw some variables in. There is plenty to manage and plenty to execute, so we have to be super focused and motivated."
Weekend Timetable
Friday, June 2nd, 2023
09:55 - Free Practice
15:00 - Qualifying
Saturday, June 3st, 2023
10:30 - Race 1
Sunday, April 4th, 2023
09:55 - Race 2