Home Formula 3Brazil F3 Late drama gives Guerra win on F3 debut at Interlagos

Late drama gives Guerra win on F3 debut at Interlagos

by Felipe Giacomelli
Renan Guerra

Photo: Bruno Terena/Vicar

Renan Guerra won his first race in single-seaters in the second F3 Brazil race at Interlagos in chaotic final laps due to oil on track.

Filling in for Raphael Raucci this weekend, the MRF Challenge veteran was only fifth at the midway point but everything changed when Nicholas Silva?s engine gave up.

With all youngsters struggling with the mix of rain and oil, Guerra realized his best option was to stay away from the racing line. With much more grip than the other drivers, he was able to increase his pace. Firstly, he gained a position from yesterday winner Lukas Moraes ? who went off at turn four thanks to the oil ? and started to close the gap to the leaders.

Then, the R&R Weissach man easily overtook Bruno Etman for third place and started to put pressure on Pedro Piquet. The points leader went wide in a turn and gave Guerra momentum enough to took the second. With a pace three seconds faster than any other car, he closed in Vitor Baptista and had no trouble to gain the lead.

With less than two minutes to go, the Sao Paulo driver just managed his pace to receive the checkered flag.

Baptista finished second after led most of the race. The Cesario man lost the overall first place, but was able to keep his winning streak in Class B. Piquet was third, followed by Etman and Artur Fortunato.

Fortunato, actually, was faster than his teammate Guerra at middle stages, but couldn?t overtake. As such, he settled for sixth. Victor Miranda, Matheus Leist, Moraes, Arthur Oliveira and Leonardo de Souza rounded out the top ten.

On reverse grid pole, Sergio Sette Camara had a very tough day. With the race starting behind the safety car due to rain, the rookie maintained the first place. However, when the green flag was waived, he spun after touching the kerb even before the starting line.

With Camara misfortune, Piquet moved to lead, but wasn?t fast enough. As such, Baptista easily took the first position until the dying laps and all the oil.

Race results
?Pos. Driver Team Cl. Time/Gap
1 Renan Guerra R&R Weissach Racing A 17 laps in 33:13.864
2 Vitor Baptista Cesario F3 B +3.218
3 Pedro Piquet Cesario F3 A +7.221
4 Bruno Etman Hitech Racing A +9.854
5 Artur Fortunato R&R Weissach Racing A +23.431
6 Victor Miranda R&R Weissach Racing B +35.178
7 Matheus Leist Cesario F3 B +36.918
8 Lukas Moraes Prop Car Racing A +39.719
9 Arthur Oliveira Hitech Racing A +52.790
10 Leonardo de Souza Kemba Racing A +56.542
11 Matheus Iorio Hitech Racing B + 2 laps
12 Sergio Sette Camara Cesario F3 A + 2 laps
Not classified
Nicholas Silva R&R/Capital B + 6 laps
Fernando Croce Prop Car Racing A + 6 laps
Mauro Auricchio R&R Weissach Racing B + 6 laps
DNS Ricardo Landucci Prop Car Racing B