After claiming his maiden F3 podium in Barcelona, MP Motorsport’s Alessandro Giusti followed up with a strong performance at the F3 Austrian GP, crossing the line in P2 just behind race winner and fellow rookie ART GP’s James Wharton.
2025 marks the Frenchman’s first season in FIA Formula 3. Despite a challenging start to the season, Giusti has gone on to deliver a strong run of consistent points finishes since Bahrain. Currently P5 in the Driver Standings with a tally of 54 points, Giusti’s steady stream of point-finishes could prove crucial in helping him climb further up the standings as the season reaches its closing stages.
During the Post-Sprint Press Conference, Giusti spoke to Pit Debrief and other media outlets as the 18 year-old reflected on his performance during the Sprint Race.
Giusti satisfied with he could achieve today
It was an eventful and chaotic Sprint Race Saturday at the F3 Austrian GP. The Frechman admitted the race was tough, especially after nearly stalling at the start. Initially, Giusti has explained he struggled to stay with Wharton after the first safety car. However, the Frenchman highlighted how he took advantage of a moment to pressure Wharton when he noticed the Australian’s pace starting to drop off.
“Yeah, it was tough. We made a great start, nearly stall, so it was good to start the race and not stalling.”
“After, it was very fast the first five, six laps after the safety car, so I struggled to stay in the DRS, and then I saw he was starting to struggle a bit more, and I tried to put pressure on [James Wharton].”
The 18 year-old attempted several moves into Turn 4 and 3 but couldn’t make them stick. Despite struggling with tyre grip during the closing stages of the race, the Frenchman was happy to finish P2.
“I tried spoofing in Turn 4, Turn 3. It didn’t work out, but yeah. At the end, after the last [Safety Car], it was a bit tough for me with the tyre, but yeah, I’m happy with the P2, yeah.”
Slowly finding momentum and performance in F3
Following a back-to-back podium finish, it is evident that Giusti is finding some momentum. When asked about how he felt with his performances in the last two rounds, the Frenchman shared that his performance has come from finding his growing confidence in the car. Noting the short break since Barcelona, Giusti highlighted how it was a period of resetting and finding improvements as they headed into the Austrian GP.
“Oh, tough question,” Giusti responded.
“I think I’m getting used to the car as well. I’m getting confident in that car. As we said, after the triple-header, we had a break, and it was good for the team and for us. We made a good step forward in [Qualifying], I think, and in the race, we’ve always been quite good, so yeah, it was good.”
His focus now shifts to the Feature Race tomorrow. Giusti explained that learnings from today will be essential for managing their race tomorrow. Although Sunday brings a new day and race, the Frenchman expects degradation to be high.
“Yeah, it was a bit of a chaotic race, as we saw behind, what I learned, yeah. The [degradation] is quite tight with the starting straight, and maybe a bit more managed for tomorrow, but I mean, we saw tomorrow will be new, I think, so that’s it.”
FRECA experiences alongside Wharton
Both Giusti and Wharton reflected on their history, having competed against each other at Spielburg during last year’s Formula Regional European Championship. Similar to today’s results, Wharton claimed his spot on the top-step of the podium whilst Giusti settled for P3. Crediting Wharton’s impressive defending skills, the Frenchman was simply pleased he gave it his all in the fight for victory, even if it didn’t work out in his favour once again.
“Yeah, I know James [Wharton] since last year in FRECA, and I knew he was a great defender, and we saw it in the sprint race. I tried my best. I liked it last year a bit, but it didn’t work. Maybe next time, I hope so.”
Giusti starts P11 for the Feature Race on Sunday. Hoping to continue his streak of consecutive point-finishes, the Frenchman would hope to make his way through the field.
