JUSTIN : FIA Strips Red Bull Junior Tim Tramnitz of Italian Grand Prix F3 VICTORY… Read more
FIA Strips Red Bull Junior Tim Tramnitz of Italian Grand Prix F3 Victory
The FIA has confirmed that Red Bull junior driver Tim Tramnitz has been stripped of his victory in the opening Formula 3 race at Monza, dealing a significant blow to both the driver and his MP Motorsport team.
While the spotlight at Monza this weekend is largely on the Formula 1 championship battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, other categories are also in action, with Formula 3 staging its season finale. The Italian round features both a sprint race and a feature race, and although Brazilian talent Rafael Camara had already sealed the championship crown before arriving in Monza, there was still plenty to play for in terms of race wins and final standings.
In Saturday’s sprint, Tramnitz initially crossed the line in first place, finishing ahead of Roman Bilinski and Martinius Stenshorne. Starting from third on the grid, the German made a strong getaway, though he slipped to fourth after the opening lap. He fought back brilliantly, executing decisive overtakes to climb into the lead and claim what looked like a commanding win.
However, the celebrations proved short-lived. Post-race investigations by the stewards revealed that Tramnitz had failed to properly follow the start procedure setup at the beginning of the race. The infringement, though technical, was deemed significant enough for the FIA to issue a 10-second penalty. As a result, the Red Bull-backed driver was demoted outside the points-paying positions, erasing what had been an impressive drive and reshuffling the order at the top.
The penalty elevated Bilinski to victory, with Stenshorne moving up into second place. Tramnitz’s loss of points could also have implications in the fight for final championship positions, particularly with the feature race still to come on Sunday.
For Tramnitz, the setback is a harsh blow in what has otherwise been a season of flashes of promise. The 20-year-old joined the Red Bull Junior Team after a strong junior career, which included finishing third in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023. Since stepping up to Formula 3, he has raced two full seasons with MP Motorsport, collecting three career wins before Monza.
Despite the penalty, Tramnitz remains in the mix for a top-three finish in the championship standings. Heading into the weekend, he was fighting for fourth place overall, though the loss of points has allowed Martinius Stenshorne to close the gap significantly. With only four points separating the two drivers, Sunday’s feature race will be decisive in determining who finishes ahead in the final standings.
For Red Bull, who are constantly evaluating their pool of junior drivers for future opportunities in higher categories, the penalty is unlikely to overshadow Tramnitz’s long-term potential. However, it does underline the fine margins in motorsport, where even small procedural errors can have major consequences.
As Formula 3 prepares to conclude its 2025 season at Monza, all eyes will be on the feature race. For Bilinski, the inherited victory boosts his own standing and caps off a strong weekend. For Tramnitz, the challenge will be to bounce back quickly, put the penalty behind him, and end his campaign on a high.
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