Last-Lap Heartbreak Costs Wharton Austrian F3 Podium

James Wharton suffered last-lap heartbreak in the Austrian Formula 3 sprint, tumbling from second to fourth after a race-long fight at the front. The Australian had led from reverse-grid pole and looked set for a podium until a penultimate-lap mistake exposed him to rivals in the final laps.

Why it matters:

The result denied Wharton back-to-back sprint victories after his triumph in Barcelona, as well as a repeat of his 2025 Austria sprint win. Despite the disappointment, the Prema driver still secured his second points finish of the season, moving to 18 total and 12th in the championship.

The details:

• Wharton made a clean start from pole to lead into Turn 1 before an early safety car followed contact between Trident teammates Freddie Slater and Noah Stromsted.
• Ernesto Rivera relentlessly pressured Wharton through the Red Bull Ring’s DRS zones, snatching the lead into Turn 4 on Lap 14 after repeated attacks.
• Wharton stayed within striking distance until he ran wide at Turn 8 on the penultimate lap, brushing gravel and dropping out of DRS range.
• Pedro Clerot and Jin Nakamura both capitalized on the final lap, sweeping past to relegate Wharton to fourth, just 0.2s behind Nakamura.
• Prema teammate Louis Sharp recovered from 20th on the grid to finish 15th after a race-long battle in the midfield.

What's next:

Wharton will aim to rebound in Sunday’s feature race, starting 12th. Sharp lines up 20th, giving both Prema runners another shot at points at the Austrian Grand Prix.