AutoAction
FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINE SIGN UP

Mansell soars to F3 podium

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: March 2, 2024

Aussie Christian Mansell has started his ART career with a bang by storming to a podium in the Formula 3 Feature Race at Bahrain.

A fast start propelled Mansell to second in the 22-lap race in Sakhir, just 1.2s short of winner Luke Browning.

It is the Novocastrian’s third career podium in FIA Formula 3 having also claimed a trophy at Silverstone and Spa last year.

Being second place is Mansell’s equal best career result and is a grand start to his ART career having moved from Campos over the offseason.

It is a big boost for #23 after a tough Sprint Race where he started fourth and finished 14th.

Fellow Aussie Tommy Smith came home 22nd in the #22 Van Amersfoort Racing machine.

Christian Mansell leads the F3 field out of the opening chicane. Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images

Mansell started eighth but soared to fifth by the time he arrived at turn 8 where he passed Mini, while pole man Dino Beganovic crawled off the line, which allowed eventual winner Browning surge into the lead.

The Aussie hit the top three on lap three by getting by Santiago Ramos and attacked Sami Meguetounif two laps later.

Mansell launched a dive-bomb for second on turn 8 and although his Trident rival fought back, the Aussie hung tough on the inside of the double left hander where both drivers locked up.

The job was not done however as Meguetounif had another attempt at the end of the back straight but strong defensive driving ensured Mansell secured second on lap 5.

Across the next 17 laps Mansell shadowed Browning all the way to the chequered flag with just over a second covering the pair after 41 minutes of intense racing.

“Yes boys, get in! I am so so proud of you guys to turn this around overnight. What a car, what a team,” Mansell rejoiced over the team radio.

The strong result leaves Mansell third in the championship with 18 points, seven behind leader Browning.

Mansell will be chasing more trophies when F3 heads to his native Australia on March 22-24.

There is also lots more loaded into a bumper edition of AUTO ACTION magazine, on sale at newsagents and available digitally here.

For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Latest Podcast: Bathurst 500 review on the Auto Action RevLimiter!

Bruce is back this week after sitting on the bench with illness and a lack of fuel, and he joins Andrew and PG on the Auto Action Rev Limiter as they look at the latest in motorsport.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here.

    

Shares

Recent Stories

array (
  0 => 
  WP_Term::__set_state(array(
     'term_id' => 660,
     'name' => 'International',
     'slug' => 'international',
     'term_group' => 0,
     'term_taxonomy_id' => 660,
     'taxonomy' => 'category',
     'description' => '',
     'parent' => 0,
     'count' => 2609,
     'filter' => 'raw',
     'cat_ID' => 660,
     'category_count' => 2609,
     'category_description' => '',
     'cat_name' => 'International',
     'category_nicename' => 'international',
     'category_parent' => 0,
  )),
  1 => 
  WP_Term::__set_state(array(
     'term_id' => 11,
     'name' => 'Latest News',
     'slug' => 'latest-news',
     'term_group' => 0,
     'term_taxonomy_id' => 11,
     'taxonomy' => 'category',
     'description' => '',
     'parent' => 0,
     'count' => 13294,
     'filter' => 'raw',
     'cat_ID' => 11,
     'category_count' => 13294,
     'category_description' => '',
     'cat_name' => 'Latest News',
     'category_nicename' => 'latest-news',
     'category_parent' => 0,
  )),
  2 => 
  WP_Term::__set_state(array(
     'term_id' => 2029,
     'name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
     'slug' => 'email',
     'term_group' => 0,
     'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029,
     'taxonomy' => 'category',
     'description' => '',
     'parent' => 2031,
     'count' => 4211,
     'filter' => 'raw',
     'cat_ID' => 2029,
     'category_count' => 4211,
     'category_description' => '',
     'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
     'category_nicename' => 'email',
     'category_parent' => 2031,
  )),
  3 => 
  WP_Term::__set_state(array(
     'term_id' => 2031,
     'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
     'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
     'term_group' => 0,
     'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031,
     'taxonomy' => 'category',
     'description' => '',
     'parent' => 0,
     'count' => 3610,
     'filter' => 'raw',
     'cat_ID' => 2031,
     'category_count' => 3610,
     'category_description' => '',
     'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
     'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
     'category_parent' => 0,
  )),
)
79063

Waters and Tickford encouraged by race pace

Cam Waters and Tickford once again walked away from a Supercars round in 2024 wondering what could have been, but were pleased by their race pace. Despite having his fair […]

Reynolds on life at Team 18 and Taupo challenges

David Reynolds has enjoyed a fast start to life at Team 18 and is closing in on silverware heading to a milestone weekend in Taupo. Despite not standing on the […]

Davison Taupo fri

Davison thrilled to get DJR up front

It may only be practice but Will Davison admitted it was a big boost to see both Dick Johnson Racing Mustangs at the pointy end in Taupo after a “tough […]

david russell

PremiAir snags Russell

Fast co-driver David Russell will make the big switch to PremiAir Nulon Racing in 2024 after a successful stint at Erebus. Despite having initially signed to stay with Erebus in […]