Sophia Floersch racing at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Photo credit: Formula3 via Twitter
A 7th place in the Spa Feature Race secured Sophia Floersch 6 points – the first points for a female driver in the history of the Formula 3 championship and PHM Racings first points of the season
Having qualified in P24, the risk to start on wet tyres paid off as Floersch cut through the field making up 17 positions to reach P7 on the opening lap. With the mixed conditions proving difficult for cars to stay on track, an early safety car presented the chance to change tyres in preparation for a drying track. Floersch and the PHM racing team chose to remain on track. In doing so, Floersch gained a track position as Paul Aron took the chance to change to slicks.
The choice to remain on track was proved right as Floersch was able to pull a 9 second gap to those behind, including Aron. Floersch’s composure behind the wheel allowed her to remain incident free in tricky conditions. As the slick tyres came in during the closing laps, Caio Collett was able to catch up and join Sophia Floersch and Sebastian Montoya in a 3-way battle for 5th. At the chequered flag, less than half a second separated Collett in P5 and Floersch in P7. The top ten finish made her the series first female points scorer.
🏎️P7🏎️💨💨💨 #unscripted #racegirl 💝💋
2nd push to inspire girls with points @AlpineRacing @Formula3 #sophia #racHer #thepointsareyoursDilano pic.twitter.com/RDkbbh88SC— Sophia Floersch (@SophiaFloersch) July 30, 2023
The German driver had been on the pace all weekend having made up 12 positions in the sprint race a day earlier also dominated by difficult conditions and accidents. She dedicated her points in Spa to Dilano Van’t Hoff.
Spa marked the second time she had finished within the top 10 this year. However her previous 9th position in Spielberg was overturned due to a technical infringement on the car. The Alpine junior faced another wait for confirmation of points this weekend. Floersch was summoned to the stewards for a potential unsafe release in the pit lane. No further action was taken and P7 was confirmed.
Floersch now sits 22nd in the overall standings, ahead of the championships final race in Monza on the 2nd September.
Written by Emma Knights
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