Australian racing driver James Wharton takes maiden Formula 3 race win
Australian Formula 3 driver James Wharton has claimed his maiden win in the category, triumphing in Austria during the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Wharton claimed Saturday's sprint race, his first win and podium in the F3 category.
The ART Grand Prix driver started the sprint on pole and withstood a strong challenge from Frenchman Alessandro Giusti and American Ugo Ugochukwu over the 21-lap fight.
"Can't describe how happy I am finally winning my first race in F3," Wharton wrote on social media after the race win.
"The team earned it, we needed it, and we made it happen."
Wharton got a great start and held the lead into the first corner at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
The field bunched up following an early safety car after a crash in the midfield.
Giusti mounted a strong challenge for the lead following the restart, pushing the Australian from laps five to eight.
Wharton withstood the challenge, held the lead after a passing attempt from Giusti on lap eight, and kept his focus as the laps went by.
Another safety car bunched the field again, leaving a four-lap sprint to the finish when the green flag came out.
Wharton held his nerve and took the chequered flag.
Wharton's only other points finish this season was eighth in the Spanish sprint race in Barcelona.
The Australian will start Sunday's feature race from 12th on the grid.
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