Mari Boya Clinches Silverstone Feature Race Victory Amidst Adverse Weather

In a dramatic turn of events at Silverstone on July 6, 2025, Mari Boya of Campos Racing claimed his first Feature Race victory in the FIA Formula 3 series, navigating through torrential rain and a subsequent Red Flag that halted the race. Boya's performance placed him ahead of Théophile Nael from Van Amersfoort Racing, who finished in second, and Noel Léon from PREMA Racing, rounding out the podium in third.

The weather conditions significantly influenced race strategies, with teams opting for different tire setups as rain fell before the formation lap, leading to a split grid. Some drivers chose Wet Pirelli tires, while others fitted Hard slicks. As the rain intensified, those on wet tires gained a crucial advantage, allowing Boya to seize the lead early in the race.

According to race reports, Boya's ascent into the lead showcased his skill, particularly as competitors on slicks, such as Nikola Tsolov and Ugo Ugochukwu, struggled to maintain grip on the wet track. By the start of Lap 5, Boya had extended his lead to over two seconds. Meanwhile, drivers like Alessandro Giusti, who had initially struggled, demonstrated the superiority of the wet tires by climbing back up the ranks after a spin on the opening lap.

As the race progressed, the rain worsened, resulting in slower lap times for those on slicks, which were approximately ten seconds slower than those on wet tires. The situation escalated to a point where Charlie Wurz and Martinius Stenshorne, both on slicks, were forced to pit for wet tires. However, the conditions continued to deteriorate, leading to the deployment of a Safety Car on Lap 11 due to a spin by Louis Sharp.

Ultimately, the race was halted with a Red Flag on Lap 14, marking a premature end to the contest. Boya's victory is a significant milestone in his career, especially as he emphasized the support from Campos Racing and his new partnership with Aston Martin. "What a weekend! I’m super happy to maximize all the potential we have had. It’s still really open in the Championship, so let’s go for everything!" Boya remarked after the race.

In terms of championship standings, Rafael Câmara retains his lead with 120 points, followed by Tim Tramnitz and Nikola Tsolov at 93 and 91 points respectively. Boya's win elevates him to fourth place in the standings with 85 points. In the Teams’ Championship, Campos Racing has surged to the top with 210 points, narrowly ahead of TRIDENT, which stands at 207 points.

Looking ahead, the FIA Formula 3 series will reconvene at Spa-Francorchamps for Round 8 of the 2025 season, scheduled from July 25-27. The outcome of this race not only highlights the unpredictable nature of motorsport but also sets the stage for an exciting championship battle as teams and drivers continue to vie for supremacy in the remaining races.