Nikola Tsolov Claims Record-Equalling Victory in Sakhir After Epic Duel with Freddie Slater.
After a prolonged battle with AIX driver Freddie Slater, Nikola Tsolov claimed a record-breaking victory in Sakhir. Despite leading for much of the race, Slater ultimately fell victim to the relentless charge of the Bulgarian.
As the lights went out, both pole-sitter Joshua Dufek and Slater made perfect getaways. Dufek held firm at the front while Slater snatched a position from Martinius Stenshorne with a decisive move into Turn 4. Further back, Tsolov got off to an impressive start, overtaking Alessandro Giusti, while the feature race pole-sitter dropped back from P12 after a near-stall off the line.
Tsolov continued his climb through the field, and by lap 4 the Safety Car was deployed after Prema teammates Ugochukwu and Badoer collided — one car stranded, the other left with a fixable puncture.
When racing resumed, Tsolov wasted no time reasserting himself, setting his sights on Dufek for P2 while Slater led just ahead. Once past the Hitech driver, Tsolov had clear focus on the lead — and on lap 9, he ignited one of the season’s standout battles as he challenged Slater for the top spot. Despite being just 16 and relatively new to the championship, Slater defended brilliantly, repeatedly forcing Tsolov to fight tooth and nail for every inch. Each time the Bulgarian pounced, Slater answered with a clever switchback, making it clear he wasn’t giving up easily.
Meanwhile, the fight for P3 was heating up as Dufek, Stenshorne, and Taponen nearly went three-wide into Turn 4. Eventually, Taponen and Stenshorne made their way past through Turns 10 and 11, with Giusti following suit at Turn 1 a few corners later.
Eventually, Tsolov made the decisive move — diving down the inside of Slater into Turn 1 and making it stick. At the same time, Taponen, having passed Stenshorne, began reeling in the leading duo.
On lap 15 of 19, drama struck again as Dufek and Ivan Domingues collided at Turn 1, forcing both drivers out and bringing out the second Safety Car of the race.
Green flag conditions returned at the start of lap 18, and Slater was immediately on the tail of Tsolov. Despite multiple attacks, the Campos driver held his ground with composed defending.
On the final lap, Taponen attempted a move on Slater into Turn 1 but unfortunately for him couldn’t make it stick. Out in front, Tsolov found clear air and pulled away to take the chequered flag — securing a record-equalling fourth FIA Formula 3 victory and capping off a masterful drive in Sakhir.
RESULTS:
Nikola Tsolov
Freddie Slater
Tuukka Taponen
Callum Voisin
Martinius Stenshorne
Tim Tramnitz
Alessandro Giusti
Christian Ho
Charlie Wurz
Noah Strømsted
Noel Leon
Rafael Câmara
James Wharton
Louis Sharp
Mari Boya
Laurens Van Hoepen
Matias Zagazeta
Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak
Bruno Del Pino
Roman Billinski
Gerrard Xie
Brando Badoer
Javier Sagrera