After showing huge promise in the early stages of the race, Louis Sharp had his first Formula 3 race of the 2026 season end early after a monumental crash with teammate James Wharton.
Sharp started the 20 lap race in thirteenth and quickly made progress up the field. He made a brilliant move on Freddie Slater into turn 3, and finished the first lap in ninth.
He quickly moved up to eighth, sitting just behind Prema teammate and Australasian compatriot James Wharton, and ahead of Alpine’s Nico Lacorte.
Track software issues mean at DRS had not been activated by lap seven. Still, this did not stop Sharp looking fast on the rear bumper of his teammate.
Sharp was able to start trying to get past Wharton on lap eight. After trying to go around the outside in turn 3, he tried to make a switchback on his teammate into turn 4. Wharton defended hard and escorted Sharp wide on the run to turn 5. Sharp was able to get relatively alongside by turn 6, but the two tangled when Wharton turned in. Both cars were sent into the barrier in what was a monumental shunt.
With the barrier moved out of shape and Wharton’s car well and truly buried in the fence, a safety car was called, which was subsequently upgraded to a red flag.
Damage from the contact meant both Wharton and Sharp retired from the race. Both reported that they were okay, with Sharp unhappy with his teammate over the radio.
News soon came over the radio that the race would not be resumed, with points being awarded to the top five only due to completing over 25% of the race distance.
Van Amersfoort Racing came home with a 1-2 finish, with Bruno del Pino taking the win ahead of Enzo Deligny. Rodin’s Brando Badoer finished third.
Despite their crash, Wharton and Sharp still recorded a seventh and eighth place finish due to being in that position at the last completed lap.
Formula 3 will be back on track with the feature race taking place at 10:50am tomorrow NZST (8th March).
