As 2024 enters its final chapter, it is time to reflect on three stand-out drivers in the F3 season.
A memorable campaign saw the title decided at the final corner of the season finale, as the victorious driver somehow took the crown without a race win all season.
12 drivers took at least one win whilst nine further drivers claimed one podium finish at minimum, underlining how competitive the season has been with plenty of highlights.
Nevertheless three drivers stood out more than the rest for different reasons, so here is a look at why they enjoyed impressive seasons.
Leonardo Fornaroli
‘Model of consistency’ is the only way to describe Leonardo Fornaroli because he has just been so consistent with just two non top-ten finishes as he sealed a pretty unique title without a single race win all season.
Two pole positions plus fastest laps and five podiums consisting of two second-placed and five third-placed finishes underlines the Italian’s consistency, whilst he finished every race in the top 12 in a simply stunning season.
In fact what Fornaroli achieved this season in F3 on pure consistency meant that there is little to say, other than he will need to learn from his F2 outing in Abu Dhabi and start winning if he wants the F2 title as consistency won’t be enough alone.
Luke Browning
After a steady rookie season in 2023 with a 15th-placed finish, Luke Browning enjoyed a sophomore season with two wins and pole positions as he finished third in the standings.
Inconsistency though cost him the title because he failed to score points in seven of nine sprints, whilst 16 points from the last three rounds amidst various mistakes was just costly as his title rivals found form.
Next season sees Browning make a full-time move into F2 with Hitech GP after a solid learning experience with ART GP in the last three rounds this year, but he will need to show more consistency and composure to fight for the title.
Arvid Lindblad
At just 16 years-old at start of season, Arvid Lindblad has been the stand-out rookie with a mature sprint victory on debut and a superb run of consistency for much of the season.
Lindblad eventually took four wins in total as he became the youngest Feature Race winner in Spain, before he showed unbelievable maturity to achieve the double on home soil starting with a calmly-controlled drive in the sprint.
The British Feature Race in contrast brought unpredictable weather conditions yet Lindblad showed initiative in his wet to slick tyre switch, before mastering the see-saw conditions to win via a time penalty for Callum Voisin.
An end of season rut of no points in the final three rounds cost Lindblad the title but to finish as top rookie is a great achievement for the Brit, who has demonstrated great tyre management and is stepping up to F2 next season with Campos.
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