F3: Tsolov ties all-time record in Bahrain Sprint showdown

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Nikola Tsolov powered to his fourth FIA Formula 3 victory, holding off a fierce late challenge from rookie Freddie Slater to win the Sakhir Sprint Race under the desert sun.

Starting fifth on the grid, the Bulgarian Red Bull junior made quick work of the field, overtaking polesitter Joshua Dufek by Lap 9 to move into second. What followed was a multi-lap tactical scrap with AIX Racing’s Slater, who had taken the lead early on.

Tsolov eventually made the decisive move down the inside at Turn 1 and resisted mounting pressure from Slater—particularly after a late Safety Car restart—to seal the win and match the all-time record for F3 victories.

Ferrari junior Tuukka Taponen grabbed third for ART Grand Prix, earning his maiden podium in the category. Behind him, Callum Voisin took fourth for Rodin Motorsport, while Martinius Stenshorne of Hitech TGR rounded out the top five.

MP Motorsport teammates Tim Tramnitz and Alessandro Giusti finished sixth and seventh, with DAMS Lucas Oil’s Christian Ho crossing the line in eighth to become the first Singaporean to score points in Formula 3.

TRIDENT’s Charlie Wurz and Noah Stromsted completed the top ten, while their teammate Rafael Camara battled back to P12 after a sluggish start. The Brazilian will start from pole in the Feature Race, scheduled for 12:55 local time.