PREMA Racing is leaving Monte Carlo with no points on the board as the FIA Formula 3 Championship signed off today from the Monaco Grand Prix.
Noel Leon survived some lap 1 argy-bargy and ran P6 in the opening part of the race, showing a consistent early pace. Unfortunately, he ended up into the barriers on lap 19, in an incident that the team is currently investigating.
Ugo Ugochukwu and Brando Badoer fought their way in a fierce mid-pack, but without chances of big advancements barring exceptional events, progress was always going to be limited. While Ugochukwu eventually got home in P16, Badoer was hit from behind and put out of contention on lap 21.
Hopes are now pinned on a rebound in Barcelona, where the series will go underway in a few days for round 5 of 2025.
#1 - Brando Badoer
"It was a typical Monaco race with a long train of cars, but it was positive in terms of confidence as the pace improved a lot during the weekend and I got to know the track better. Unfortunately, my race ended early as I got hit from behind. Nothing I could do differently. It was just unfortunate. We'll try to bounce back in Barcelona next week."
#2 - Noel León
"It was a really difficult race and we didn't finish. We were pushing to score a few points, but after a few times having issues with the front axle, I ended up in the wall. We need to look at the car to find out what happened. I think we deserved the points with the work we have been doing, but we'll keep pushing in Barcelona next week. I'm really looking forward to bouncing back after missing out here."
#3 - Ugo Ugochukwu
"I had a good start and made a couple of positions in the first lap. It was a pretty uneventful start to the race, then I got squeezed into a three-wide situation at the hairpin and had to back out, which cost me position. Then I started to struggle a lot with the tyres and dropped back a couple more positions at the end. We need to find a way to up the race pace a little for Barcelona."