At the end of the last F3 race of the season at Mugello, it took until the final laps to know the outcome of this championship that had kept us in suspense until the end. Ultimately, it was the Australian Oscar Piastri who won the title with just a three-point lead over our local driver Théo Pourchaire.
This last Grand Prix weekend did not start off ideally since in qualifying, Théo Pourchaire found himself quite far from the best times on his first run. But through determination, the Grassois improved his mark and climbed to 7th on the grid. An interesting result that placed him ahead of Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader. The other title contender, Logan Sargeant, achieved the best result by classifying second, giving him a great opportunity to shine in the first race.
Keeping Hope Alive
Ultimately penalized on the grid, Sargeant started one row ahead of Théo Pourchaire. The ART driver once again made a spectacular start, moving into 4th at the beginning of the second lap. On a track where it is difficult to follow closely with fast corner sequences, the Frenchman managed his tire wear perfectly, unlike poleman Lirim Zendeli, who struggled with his tires at the end of the race. In the penultimate lap, the Maralpin seized his chance and overtook the German to climb once again onto the third step of the podium! Exemplary consistency that allowed him to believe in his dream of the title. Indeed, only nine points separated him from the Grail held at that moment by the two Prema drivers, Piastri and Sargeant, both co-leaders with 160 points each after 17 races.
A Completely Crazy Scenario
To be champion, Théo Pourchaire needed to finish on the podium at all costs and hope that his rivals did not score points. From the start, one of the leaders, the American Logan Sargeant, got jostled in traffic and ended his race in the gravel. The title would therefore be contested between Piastri and Pourchaire! Hopes were quickly raised since after the race restart, Théo passed Piastri and climbed two positions ahead of his direct rival. With his two teammates in front, there was the possibility of a team race to help the Frenchman in his comeback.
Without panicking, Pourchaire took his time to overtake his opponents and take 4th place. At mid-race, only two points separated him from the title. A gap that was never bridged because when the Frenchman overtook Fittipaldi to make it to the podium for the fourth consecutive time, Oscar Piastri also improved his position. In front, the ART No. 7 driver gave it his all trying to catch up with Beckmann in second position. Unfortunately, the gap could not be closed in the final laps. At the line, Piastri, seemingly unsure of having enough championship lead, overtook Fernandez and secured the title!
During the cool-down lap, Pourchaire took the radio, tears in his voice. However, the Frenchman had nothing to regret after a nearly perfect season at only 17 years old, having not dared to talk about title chances two weeks earlier. One thing is certain, our local driver, a member of the Sauber academy, has made a name for himself within the paddock and will embody the future of French motorsport alongside Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly!
See you next season for a rematch or perhaps to discover Formula 2?
Final standings:
