Formula 3 News: Countless Grid Penalties Confirmed After Qualifying Chaos

Alex Harrington | Jul 27, 2024

Arvid Lindblad, #3 Prema, during round 9 of the FIA Formula 3 Championship at circuit Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on July 26-28, 2024. / Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool

The stewards were particularly busy with Finnish racing prodigy Tuukka Taponen of ART Grand Prix and several others who were all penalized for impeding during Formula 3's Belgian qualifying. Taponen was found to have obstructed the racing line at the crucial Turn 18 and drove noticeably slower for approximately nine seconds, disrupting the rhythm of rivals. After a thorough review, which included video evidence and testimonies from Taponen and a team representative, the stewards concluded that he had violated the Race Director’s Event Notes. Consequently, the driver will incur a three-place grid penalty in his subsequent race.

In a separate incident during the final minute of qualifying, a slew of drivers—Sophia Floersch, Sami Meguetounif, Charlie Wurz, Mari Boya, and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak—faced penalties for leaving the track and overtaking multiple cars illicitly. These moves were aimed at securing favorable positions to set their fast laps—a move deemed by stewards as lacking any justifiable reason and in breach of regulations. Each of these drivers was assessed a three-place grid penalty.

Chaos in the final moments of qualifying 😓#F3 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/zkbHU5I1jC

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) July 26, 2024

As the impacted drivers prepare for their upcoming races, these penalties will undoubtedly influence their races.

C. Voisin (Rodin Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:04.321, 202.816 KPH
A. Dunne (MP Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:04.444, 0.123 GAP, 202.616 KPH
L. Fornaroli (Trident) - 10 laps, 2:04.453, 0.132 GAP, 202.601 KPH
S. Montoya (Campos Racing) - 11 laps, 2:04.521, 0.200 GAP, 202.491 KPH
N. León (Van Amersfoort Racing) - 12 laps, 2:04.545, 0.224 GAP, 202.452 KPH
M. Esterson (Jenzer Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:04.545, 0.224 GAP, 202.452 KPH
L. Browning (Hitech Pulse-Eight) - 11 laps, 2:04.573, 0.252 GAP, 202.406 KPH
S. Meguetounif (Trident) - 11 laps, 2:04.617, 0.296 GAP, 202.335 KPH
T. Tramnitz (MP Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:04.620, 0.299 GAP, 202.330 KPH
S. Ramos (Trident) - 11 laps, 2:04.629, 0.308 GAP, 202.315 KPH
G. Minì (PREMA Racing) - 10 laps, 2:04.660, 0.339 GAP, 202.265 KPH
D. Beganovic (PREMA Racing) - 10 laps, 2:04.736, 0.415 GAP, 202.142 KPH
T. Taponen (ART Grand Prix) - 11 laps, 2:04.758, 0.437 GAP, 202.106 KPH
O. Goethe (Campos Racing) - 11 laps, 2:04.760, 0.439 GAP, 202.103 KPH
L. Van Hoepen (ART Grand Prix) - 11 laps, 2:04.900, 0.579 GAP, 201.876 KPH
N. Bedrin (AIX Racing) - 10 laps, 2:04.900, 0.579 GAP, 201.876 KPH
M. Zagazeta (Jenzer Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:05.017, 0.696 GAP, 201.687 KPH
J. Loake (Rodin Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:05.232, 0.911 GAP, 201.341 KPH
S. Floersch (Van Amersfoort Racing) - 11 laps, 2:05.344, 1.023 GAP, 201.161 KPH
C. Mansell (ART Grand Prix) - 10 laps, 2:05.348, 1.027 GAP, 201.155 KPH
M. Stenshorne (Hitech Pulse-Eight) - 10 laps, 2:05.378, 1.057 GAP, 201.107 KPH
M. Boya (Campos Racing) - 11 laps, 2:05.502, 1.181 GAP, 200.908 KPH
P. Wisnicki (Rodin Motorsport) - 10 laps, 2:05.511, 1.190 GAP, 200.893 KPH
J. Dufek (AIX Racing) - 11 laps, 2:05.632, 1.311 GAP, 200.700 KPH
T. Smith (Van Amersfoort Racing) - 11 laps, 2:05.779, 1.458 GAP, 200.465 KPH
C. Shields (Hitech Pulse-Eight) - 10 laps, 2:05.990, 1.669 GAP, 200.130 KPH
A. Lindblad (PREMA Racing) - 11 laps, 2:06.134, 1.813 GAP, 199.901 KPH
C. Wurz (Jenzer Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:06.248, 1.927 GAP, 199.721 KPH
T. Inthraphuvasak (AIX Racing) - 11 laps, 2:06.297, 1.976 GAP, 199.643 KPH
K. Sztuka (MP Motorsport) - 11 laps, 2:06.308, 1.987 GAP, 199.626 KPH