F3 | Italian GP | Feature Race | Leonardo Fornaroli crowned Formula 3 champion in Monza

Chiara Martin07 mins
Photo Credit: Formula 3 | X
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In a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 FIA Formula 3 season, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza witnessed the crowning of Leonardo Fornaroli as the new champion.

The championship battle, which had been fiercely contested throughout the season, culminated in a final race that saw four drivers—Fornaroli, Luke Browning, Gabriel Minì, and Arvid Lindblad—all vying for the title at the historic circuit.

The weekend began positively for Fornaroli, who secured pole position for the Feature Race, setting the stage for an exiting finale. Alex Dunne and Minì started alongside him in the top three positions, while Tim Tramnitz secured his maiden Sprint Race victory in a tense 18-lap contest, setting the tone for the weekend’s intense competition.

As the five red lights went out for the final time this season, Fornaroli executed an excellent start, leading into the first chicane. Dunne, however, remained close behind, trailing the Trident driver closely before making a decisive move at the Parabolica to take the lead.

For Browning, the race took a turn for the worse early on. Involved in an incident that caused damage to his Hitech car, Browning was able to rejoin the race, but his championship hopes were effectively dashed.

The safety car was deployed, and racing resumed at the end of lap seven. As the action restarted, Minì was overtaken by Christian Mansell, placing two cars between himself and Fornaroli.

The race then took a dramatic twist as Fornaroli ran wide at the Ascari chicane, dropping from second to fifth place, significantly altering the championship dynamics.

Minì, striving to maintain his position, briefly ran off the circuit and onto the grass but managed to retain his place for a moment before Fornaroli overtook him. Meanwhile, Sami Megeutounif capitalised on the unfolding drama to take the lead on lap 10.

With eight laps remaining, Minì positioned himself just behind Fornaroli, waiting for an opportunity to challenge the Trident driver. Lindblad, who had started 17th, demonstrated remarkable determination by climbing through the field to 13th place. Despite his earlier misfortune, Browning mounted a commendable recovery, advancing to 16th.

In a race characterised by constant shifts in fortune, Santiago Ramos experienced a spin but was able to continue without major damage, although he fell to 22nd. Fornaroli then attempted a move on Mansell for second place but locked up, creating a flat spot on his tyres that would compromise his performance in the remaining laps.

As the race neared its end, Minì overtook Mansell to claim third place. Fornaroli, however, was struggling with his tyres, repeatedly locking up as he attempted to defend against Minì’s advances. The critical moment arrived at the chicane with two laps remaining: Minì succeeded in passing Fornaroli, and Mansell followed, relegating Fornaroli to fourth place.

For Minì to secure the championship, he needed Mansell to hold Fornaroli at bay. However, in a final twist, Fornaroli made a decisive move on the last corner, overtaking Mansell to reclaim third place and, with it, the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship title.

This conclusion was a fitting end to a season marked by intense competition, with Fornaroli emerging as the champion after one of the most gripping finales in Formula 3 history.

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