F3: Outstanding Kato claims maiden victory in Monza Sprint Race

Taito Kato went from ninth on the grid to victory with a brilliant drive in the Formula 3 Monza Sprint Race.

The ART Grand Prix driver picked off his rivals one by one before holding off TRIDENT’s Freddie Slater for the final two laps to win at the Temple of Speed.

Championship leader Slater went from 12th on the grid to second, as he extends his lead to 17 points going into the Feature Race.

Van Amersfoort Racing’s Hiyu Yamakoshi took the final place on the podium, with AIX Racing’s Yevan David’s final lap overtake on Alessandro Giusti putting him fourth.

Giusti had led for most of the race but settled for P5 ahead of his MP Motorsport team mate Mattia Colnaghi, with Campos Racing’s Ernesto Rivera in seventh.

Van Amersfoort Racing’s Enzo Deligny finished eighth ahead of DAMS Lucas Oil’s Nicola Lacorte with his team mate Bruno del Pino rounding out the points in P10.

Slater is set to start from pole position in Sunday’s Feature Race, with ART driver Kanato Le set to join him on the front row.

Until then, you can read a full report on today’s FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race from Monza on the official website here.