The 2026 Silverstone F3 Feature Race classification at the British GP changed dramatically after the chequered flag, with the Stewards disqualifying Matteo De Palo and applying further post-race penalties.
De Palo initially crossed the line first for TRIDENT, while late-race penalties had already altered the podium order after a frantic one-lap restart. However, a post-race technical breach removed De Palo from the results entirely, promoting ART Grand Prix’s Maciej Gładysz to victory ahead of TRIDENT’s Freddie Slater and Campos Racing’s Ugo Ugochukwu.
De Palo disqualified after diffuser breach
The FIA Technical Delegate reported that De Palo’s car failed to meet the minimum height requirement under Article 3.4.1 of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Technical Regulations.
The report recorded that Car 6’s diffuser measured 3mm below the minimum on the right-hand side and 1mm below the minimum on the left-hand side.
After reviewing the case, the Stewards found TRIDENT in breach of the technical regulations. They also concluded that the competitor did not provide evidence that could relieve it of responsibility for ensuring the car’s conformity.
Consequently, the Stewards disqualified De Palo from the Feature Race results. That decision removed his maiden F3 win and handed Gładysz the victory.
Rivera loses podium after weaving penalty
Ernesto Rivera also dropped down the order after the Stewards handed him a five-second penalty for failing to follow the Race Director’s competition notes.
The Race Director had instructed drivers during the Team Managers and Driver Meeting that weaving would not be permitted after the bridge between Turn 14 and Turn 15.
After examining video evidence and hearing from Rivera and a Campos Racing representative, the Stewards determined that Car 3 had weaved after the bridge approaching Turn 15.
As a result, Rivera dropped from the podium places to 10th in the updated classification. However, he still scored two points after also recording the fastest lap.
Wharton and Giusti also penalised for weaving
James Wharton received the same five-second penalty for weaving after the bridge between Turn 14 and Turn 15.
The Stewards reviewed video evidence and heard from Wharton and a PREMA Racing representative before applying the sanction in line with previous precedents.
Alessandro Giusti also received a five-second penalty for the same offence. The Stewards spoke to Giusti and an MP Motorsport representative before confirming the decision.
Those penalties dropped Wharton to 11th and Giusti to 13th in the final results.
Bhirombhakdi receives track limits penalty
Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi also received a five-second penalty after exceeding track limits on five occasions.
The Stewards received a Race Director report, reviewed the relevant video evidence, and determined that Car 30 had exceeded track limits five times.
That sanction left Bhirombhakdi 24th in the final classification.
Gładysz inherits victory as Slater and Ugochukwu complete podium
With De Palo disqualified and Rivera penalised, Gładysz inherited the Feature Race victory. Slater moved up to second, while Ugochukwu completed the podium after another strong recovery drive for Campos Racing.
Louis Sharp finished fourth for PREMA Racing, ahead of Noah Strømsted and Kanato Le. Yevan David took seventh for AIX Racing, while Hiyu Yamakoshi, Pedro Clerot and Rivera completed the points-paying positions.
Updated 2026 F3 British GP Feature Race classification
- Maciej Gładysz — ART Grand Prix — 40:51.625 — 25 points
- Freddie Slater — TRIDENT — +0.908 — 18 points
- Ugo Ugochukwu — Campos Racing — +1.160 — 15 points
- Louis Sharp — PREMA Racing — +2.858 — 12 points
- Noah Strømsted — TRIDENT — +3.269 — 10 points
- Kanato Le — ART Grand Prix — +3.426 — 8 points
- Yevan David — AIX Racing — +3.995 — 6 points
- Hiyu Yamakoshi — Van Amersfoort Racing — +4.251 — 4 points
- Pedro Clerot — Rodin Motorsport — +4.629 — 2 points
- Ernesto Rivera* — Campos Racing — +4.871 — 2 points
- James Wharton* — PREMA Racing — +5.442
- Tuukka Taponen — MP Motorsport — +5.642
- Alessandro Giusti* — MP Motorsport — +8.723
- Théophile Naël* — Campos Racing — +9.668
- Jin Nakamura — Hitech — +10.395
- Enzo Deligny — Van Amersfoort Racing — +10.561
- Brando Badoer — Rodin Motorsport — +10.759
- Bruno Del Pino — Van Amersfoort Racing — +11.039
- Fionn McLaughlin* — Hitech — +11.214
- Mattia Colnaghi — MP Motorsport — +11.759
- José Garfias — PREMA Racing — +12.096
- Gerrard Xie* — DAMS Lucas Oil — +18.268
- Woohyun Shin* — Hitech — +18.655
- Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi* — DAMS Lucas Oil — +25.392
- Taito Kato — ART Grand Prix — +36.358
- Christian Ho* — Rodin Motorsport — +44.849
- Fernando Barrichello — AIX Racing — DNF
Not classified:
DNF. Ricardo Escotto — AIX Racing — 17 laps
DNF. Nicola Lacorte — DAMS Lucas Oil — 6 laps
Disqualified:
DSQ. Matteo De Palo — TRIDENT
