Mansell scores first points in home Grand Prix™
Wednesday, 5 April 2023
The 18-year-old came away with his first points in the FIA Formula 3® series.
Christian Mansell joined fellow countryman Hugh Barter and Tommy Smith on the grid for the debut running of the FIA Formula 3® Championships in Melbourne.
The Campos Racing driver grew up in Newcastle, New South Wales making the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit as close to a home race as he will get on the series 10-race calendar.
Drivers got an early indication that the Australian Grand Prix was unlike any other race weekend on the calendar when they took to the famous Melbourne Walk on Thursday morning.
Mansell was greeted by an energetic and enthusiastic crowd all striving for a photo or signature of their favourite drivers and personalities.
A unique area where anyone in a team uniform and Formula 1® accreditation are instant celebrities and greeted by screaming fans of all ages.
Early on Saturday morning saw the F3® drivers take to the track in a chaotic Sprint Race that Mansell started P13 in.
After numerous safety cars and post-race penalties, the Australian moved into P9, scoring two points plus another point for the fastest lap.
Once again, starting in P13 for the Feature Race Sunday morning, Mansell had a chaotic first lap that included taking flight through the car park at Turn 4 and making contact with Sebastien Montoya, who went into the run-off at Turn 11.
The Campos Racing driver crossed the line in 11th. However, like the Sprint Race, post-race penalties moved him into 10th and gave him the final point on offer.
"This was a weekend I was really excited for as an Australian, and the crowds certainly didn't disappoint. It has been an amazing experience and I'm delighted to have brought home two top-10 finishes and my first points for them,” said Mansell.
"It was frustrating to miss out on that Sprint Race pole position for the second time in a row by such a small amount, especially here, but to fight hard and come back in what was a tough race to make progress in on Saturday with the safety car periods - I'm happy and the team did a great job all weekend.”
"Sunday was a race with plenty of battles and there was a lot going on around us, so to almost match the result and get more points was a good end to the weekend. Thank you again to the fans, Campos Racing and all of my sponsors this weekend. We can now look to go one better in qualifying at Imola and mix it up front."
Mansell now sits 15th in the standings, ahead of Barter in 18th and Smith in 20th.
FIA Formula 3® is next on track for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, 19-21 May.
