Van Amersfoort Racing’s (VAR) Bruno del Pino and Enzo Deligny claimed a one-two finish for the team in a shortened Sprint Race at the 2026 F3 Australian GP, full report and results below.
On Friday, Ugo Ugochukwu set the pace during the first Free Practice session of the season and looked like a strong contender for pole. However, it was Théophile Naël who stole the spotlight in Qualifying, snatching pole position from the American in the afternoon. With Ugochukwu finishing 2nd, Campos Racing locked out the front row for Sunday’s Feature Race, while title-favourite Freddie Slater completed the top three.
However, before Campos’ front-row start on Sunday, del Pino and Deligny will lead the field down to Turn 1.
Lights out for the first Sprint Race of the season!
As the formation lap got underway, Jin Nakamura struggled to get off the line. All drivers soon made their way around the track and parked up into their grid spots. Five green lights at Albert Park and it was time to go racing for the first time in 2026!
It was a great launch off the line for the VAR duo as they led the pack down to Turn 1. By the time drivers reached the first chicane, it was five wide as Brando Badoer lunged down the inside to claim 3rd. Home hero James Wharton struggled as he took evasive action at Turn 1 and plummeted down the field. Out of Turn 2, Slater and Ugochukwu battled fiercly as both drivers continued to fight their way through the field.
Meanwhile, further down the field, Mattia Colnaghi spun around at Turn 6 and ended up in the gravel traps. As the race entered Lap 3, the field slowly settled into a rhythm. However out in front, del Pino and Deligny had the race under control.
Making moves through the field
Ugochukwu, who started 11th, made an opportunistic move around the outside of Nicola Lacorte, claiming 9th from the Italian. Slater was next to overtake Lacorte. Badoer, running firmly in 3rd, he was under investigation for moving before the lights went out. Luckily for the Italian, race control decided that there was no further investigation needed.
Red flag for Sharp and Wharton
Heading down to Turn 1, Wharton and Sharp battled fiercely. The two PREMA teammates went side-by-side as they continued on Lap 4. Momentarily running off the track, the duo delivered great racing before it ended in disaster. Attempting a lunge down the inside, Sharp ran straight into the side of Wharton, making contact and going straight into the barriers at Turn 6.
Following Sharp and Wharton’s incident, the race was soon red-flagged as drivers returned to the pits. Due to extensive damage to the crash barriers, race control decided that the race will not be resumed. With half points awarded, del Pino and Deligny claimed a VAR one-two to start the 2026 F3 season, with Badoer rounding up the top three.
