Mini rewards Prema with fastest time in opening F3 session

Just three weeks on from their season opener, the F3 grid kickstarted yet another weekend of racing here in Melbourne, with Prema’s Gabriele Mini leading the way in the morning session.

Commencing their Friday running, the field started the opening practice session under a Virtual Safety Car before getting the green light on the 45-minute session. 

Speaking yesterday, Tommy Smith made it clear that Friday in Melbourne was make or break for his home Grand Prix weekend.

As a result, it was no surprise to see the Van Amersfoort Racing driver making the most of the session, taking to the track alongside fellow Aussie, Christian Mansell in the opening moments of the session.

After almost half of the grid had set their opening times, Smith found himself with the 7th fastest time, locking up into Turn 3 shortly after. 

Joseph Loake also had a slight moment, flying over the kerbs at Turn 2. 

As for the front runners, Dino Beganovic held the fastest opening lap time, claiming P1 with a 1:36.657s. 

His Prema Racing teammate wasn’t too far behind, with Gabriele Mini just over three-tenths behind. 

That quickly changed, however, with Mini reversing the top-two order.

Mansell was yet to record a time, setting off on an out-lap that was soon disrupted by a mid-session red flag. 

F3 action was red flagged in Melbourne. Image: Mark Sutton / Sutton Images

Into the penultimate corner, Cian Shields lost the rear of his Hitech after dipping a wheel onto the grass, prematurely ending his Practice session in the wall. 

The clock continued to tick down as Shields was slowly wheeled into the pitlane, costing the grid precious on-track running ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session.

With 23 minutes remaining in the session, the drivers were unleashed onto the circuit once again, with Beganovic undertaking an additional practice start as he exited the pitlane. 

Alex Dunne was the first to demote the Prema duo on a reinvigorated run, however, that was short-lived for the Irishman, with both Beganovic and Mini improving.

Christian Mansell’s first lap rewarded him with P7, however, 1.7 seconds off the fastest pace.

Down at Turn 13, traffic conditions were far from ideal, with a queue forming as they rounded the final bend.

Mari Boya was forced to navigate that situation as he completed a competitive lap, jumping to P2 before Leo Fornaroli put a tenth between the two.

Despite the improvements from a wider variety of drivers, it was still the Prema boys who had the edge over the field, jumping to P1 and P2, with Lindbald back in seventh.

With ten minutes remaining, Mansell showed some more positive signs, importing to fourth fastest with a time of 1:34.133s.

Luke Browning finally showed up, going purple in Sector 1 before slotting into the top three.

Both Boya and Dunne tested the limits of the Albert Park Circuit, with each driver exploring the grass. 

Boya returned to the pits, looking up into the final corner on his way, while Duane was fine to continue with the remaining seven minutes of the session.

Fornaroli split the top two Prema drivers, slotting into second fastest, just three-tenths behind Miní.

Leo Fornaroli driving during F3 Practice in Melbourne. Image: Mark Sutton / Sutton Images.

Lingard finally accompanied his teammates at the top of timing sheets, remaining in P4 after the session came to an early close. 

Nikola Tsolov and Alex Dunne were involved in a messy altercation, ending with the MP Motorsport car in the wall and a red flag being called.

Dunne was caught weaving in front of Tsolov through Turn 8, with the ART driver making his feelings clear by driving into the side of the MP Motorsport car, sending Dunne straight into the wall at Turn 10.

Gabriele Mini ended the opening session with the fastest time on the board, a 1:33.225s, three-tenths ahead of Fornaroli and six-tenths ahead of Dino Beganovic.

As for the Australians, Christian Mansell ended his session in P8, a positive step towards the home podium he has been so vocal about achieving, while Tommy Smith will be looking to improve come qualifying.

Qualifying to set the grid for the Sprint and Feature race will take place at 2:00 PM this afternoon, with F2 taking to the track next at 9:50 AM.

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