After a wet qualifying session at Albert Park, Leclerc found himself qualifying seventh in the field. A strong Sprint Race was followed by an eventful Feature Race but the monégasque driver battled through the field and secured a strong P4 and P3 podium finish, leaving Australia with 20 points for DAMS overall.

Leclerc was plunged into the deep-end this weekend with a tough, wet qualifying session; his first time on wet tyres since moving up to Formula 2 for the 2023 season. He successfully made it into seventh, starting the Sprint Race fourth due to the reverse grid structure.

“We made it work on the soft tyres, which not many managed to do and we kept up the pace until the end”

Whilst other drivers struggled with their tyre choices for another weekend, Leclerc appeared to have his own well within his control, battling closely with surrounding drivers, especially Kush Maini.

Despite his tyres being well-worn towards the end of the race, Leclerc did not give a quick-approaching Maloney the opportunity to pass, holding on to his position until he took the chequered flag.

“I’m pleased with the progress we’re making. We had good speed throughout and kept it clean to take a podium”

Late race collisions created the opportunity for Leclerc to seize the final podium spot, bringing the DAMS car back third behind Ayumu Iwasa, his team mate, in first. 

This weekend was the strongest for Arthur Leclerc so far as he scored points in the Sprint Race and Feature Race for the first time this season.  He brought himself to fifth in the Drivers’ Championship and alongside Iwasa, DAMS seize first in the Teams’ Championship with a 24 point lead.

Image: DAMS / POLE