ROAD TO F1: Piastri fends off Pourchaire for F3 title as Lawson wins from pole at Mugello

Renault junior Oscar Piastri was crowned FIA Formula 3 Champion in the season finale at Mugello, but not before a breathtaking duel with 17-year-old Theo Pourchaire, who emerged as an unlikely contender for the crown.

Red Bull junior Liam Lawson dominated the race from reverse grid pole, finishing 7.8s ahead of David Beckmann, but it was the title fight that stole the headlines.

Piastri began the day in first place, tied on points with team mate Logan Sargeant, but the Australian’s job was made a whole lot easier when the American was dumped out of the race, following a collision with Lirim Zendeli on the very first lap.

However, Theo Pourchaire was on the charge. The Frenchman – who is the second-youngest driver on the grid – began the weekend as an outside bet for the title, but ended up as the vice-champion, missing out by just three points.

Pourchaire put up a great fight, starting from eighth, he managed to tussle his way onto the podium with third, which was very, very briefly enough to clinch him the title. That was until, Piastri, who had started 11th, managed to leap up to seventh place and retake first place in the championship – this time for keeps.

For the full report, results and more news, visit the official F3 website.