Doohan reduces Hauger’s lead with dominant F3 win at Spa

Doohan claimed reverse grid pole position after finishing 12th in the first sprint race this morning.

With rain affecting the session, overtaking was once again tricky, leaving Doohan to run away with the race at the front of the field. 

Doohan was untouchable as he strengthened his grip on second in the championship. 

His victory was secured when he aced the first Safety Car restart before the race was ended behind it following a high-speed crash between Calan Williams and Armaury Cordeel up Eau Rouge. 

With the race finishing behind the Safety Car, Doohan took the chequered flag ahead of David Schumacher to make it a Trident 1-2.

Logan Sargeant finished third for Charouz ahead of Caio Collet and Clement Novalak.

Frederik Vesti finished sixth after his impressive start, while Victor Martins, Aleksandr Smolyar, Dennis Hauger and Arthur Leclerc rounded out the top ten at Spa.

After the win, Doohan said: “Drier conditions than this morning, and I have to say that visibility was a lot better from pole. I got a decent start, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was, but I was happy with the getaway. From there, I was managing the rears because that is where I was quite quick early on. I didn’t want to be too high on the pressure and then the other guys come at me at the end, so decided to be quite conservative. But when the Safety Car came out, our tyre pressures could all lower again.

“Overall, I’m very happy. I would have preferred to win a full race and not finish behind the Safety Car, but I will take the points – game on for tomorrow.”

Click here for the full FIA Formula 3 race results from the second sprint race in Belgium