Sunday’s 80th Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco got off to a flying start with the Formula 3 Feature Race, which ended with a predictable victory for Italian Gabriele Mini (HiTech), a promising member of the Alpine Drivers Academy.
Starting from pole position, Mini managed to keep Sweden’s Dino Beganovic (Prema Racing), next to him on the 1st row, behind him until the end of the 27th and final lap. The podium was completed by Estonian Paul Aron, another Prema driver, after a fine duel with Britain’s Luke Browning (HiTech).
There were a few yellow flags in this uneventful race for Mini and its closest pursuers, such as when Israel’s Ido Cohen (Rodin Carlin) crashed out at Bureau de Tabac, slamming violently into the safety rail.
As for Sebastian Montoya, son of Juan Pablo, winner at Monaco just twenty years ago, his race was ended by a damaged front wing as he tried to overtake Brazilian Caio Collet on the Casino climb. In a matter of minutes, he plummeted from 6th to 28th place.
The places of honour were taken by Briton Taylor Barnard (Jenzer Motorsport), 5th despite a five-second penalty, ahead of Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Trident), who stays in the lead of the championship. Thanks to a very wise race, without taking the slightest risk, rewarded by a 6th place under the chequered flag, and several precious points.
Mini and Beganovic, who finished 7 tenths behind the winner, jump up the overall standings, getting closer to Bortoleto. The next meeting for the young wolves of F3 takes place next week in Barcelona.