Lindblad, Minì claim 1-2 finish as PREMA masters Race 2 strategy
PREMA Racing delivered a sensational 1-2 finish today at Silverstone in an unpredictable and rain-affected FIA Formula 3 Feature Race. Opting to keep slick tyres during a mid-race rainfall, Arvid Lindblad and Gabriele Minì surged through the pack and went on to secure the top two positions at the end, making considerable championship gains.
The pre-race featured fully wet conditions, but as the weather looked set for an improvement, several drivers, including the PREMA Racing trio of Lindblad, Minì, and Dino Beganovic elected to stop at the end of the formation lap for slicks. When the rain came back, Lindbland and Minì stayed on slicks, while Beganovic gambled on rain tyres.
By picking the correct strategy, Lindblad posted his fourth win of the year, sweeping his home weekend after winning Race 1 yesterday and equalling the record for the most wins in a FIA F3 season. With his second place, Minì was able to reclaim the lead of the Driver Championship, and he is now trailed by Lindblad, six points away.
On the other hand, Beganovic finished a tough day in P19 after being involved in a multi-car contact and later picking up a track limits penalty.
#1 - Dino Beganovic
"It has been a really disappointing weekend. I think we made the right choice going to slicks from the start. Then, we expected rain at some point, and as it started to rain pretty heavily, we went for the wets. It was a question mark if we should box for slicks again after, which would have been right, as the safety car didn't help us. However, you never know what can happen in these situations. We will now look into the weekend, see what we can improve, and go again at Hungaroring."
#2 - Gabriele Minì
"It was a very positive race as we gained a lot of positions. We had to choose the strategy, slicks or wets, and in the end, our one of staying on slicks worked. It was really hard to try and overtake Arvid, and even if I was a little faster at the end, the tyres were pushing to the limit for following too close for two laps, and we eventually ran out of tyres. In the end, we are happy, we are leading the championship, and to be honest, after qualifying in P14, going back home with 24 points it's the best we could have asked for."
#3 - Arvid Lindblad
"What a race, and what a result! No words, the conditions were changing all the time, but we got it right. We stuck to the slicks and it paid off in the end. To do the double here in Silverstone is amazing, and I definitely didn't expect it when I woke up this morning. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me and especially to the team. We keep pushing for the future races."