Taito Kato claims maiden Formula 3 victory in Monza Sprint Race

ART Grand Prix driver Taito Kato claimed his maiden Formula 3 victory with an impressive win in the Monza Sprint Race.

Starting from ninth on the grid, the Japanese driver produced a superb performance to pick off his rivals one by one and move into the lead.

Kato then held off pressure from TRIDENT’s Freddie Slater over the final two laps to secure victory at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

Championship leader Slater recovered from 12th on the grid to finish second, extending his advantage in the standings to 17 points ahead of the Feature Race.

Hiyu Yamakoshi of Van Amersfoort Racing completed the podium in third.

AIX Racing’s Yevan David made a decisive move on the final lap to pass Alessandro Giusti for fourth. Giusti, who had led for much of the race, eventually finished fifth.

The remaining points-paying positions went to Mattia Colnaghi, Ernesto Rivera, Enzo Deligny, Nicola Lacorte and Bruno del Pino.

The Formula 3 Feature Race at Monza will take place on Sunday. Freddie Slater will start from pole position, with ART Grand Prix driver Kanato Le alongside him on the front row.