Felix takes Hungaroring podium

Felix leapt from sixth on the grid to finish third in the opening FIA Formula 3 European Championship race of the weekend in Hungary, bringing home his second consecutive podium result as he came home behind Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon.

Felix grabbed fifth from Antonio Fuoco with an around-the-outside move at Turn 1 on the first lap, and then took fourth from team-mate Lucas Auer when the Austrian ran wide at the following corner.

As the race settled, Felix slotted in behind Max Verstappen, and then inherited third when the Dutchman was forced to retire a few laps later.

Being the only runner inside the top five to use four old tyres, Felix could not keep up with Blomqvist and Ocon, although he faced no problems keeping Auer at bay to record his second podium of the season. Despite the tyre scenario, Felix set the second-fastest lap of the race, beaten to top spot only by eventual winner Blomqvist.

This afternoon will see the second qualifying session of the weekend take place, with Felix looking to secure a strong set of grid slots for Sunday’s second and third races in Budapest.

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• See all the pictures from the podium celebrations here

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FELIX:

“I managed to overtake Antonio at the first corner, and then Lucas out-braked himself into Turn 2, which I was able to capitalise on. As we expected, my tyres went off dramatically towards the end, but I’m very happy to have finished on the podium with a set of old ones. It should give us a little bit of an advantage tomorrow, but success then will obviously depend on the outcome of qualifying this afternoon. I think third was the best we could realistically have hoped for today, and I’m happy with my race and with having set the second-fastest lap.”

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