Thoughts of our Championship contenders: Fornaroli, Minì and Browning

It is almost too close to call ahead of the final race of the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship. Five drivers remain in the hunt for the Drivers’ title, but who will be able to call themselves 2024 F3 Champion when it’s all said and done?
After the Monza Sprint Race, the top three are separated by just five points, with Leonardo Fornaroli leading compatriot Gabriele Minì, as Luke Browning follows closely in third.
We spoke to the top contenders ahead of the all-important title decider.
“I’ve got to optimize, take the opportunities I can. You can treat it like a one race shootout, but not take yourself out so early on that it gets taken away from you. So, I think pace is going to come into it. The deg is going to be high, track temp is going to be high, but I think that’s going to make it tight.
“It’ll be good watching for everyone at home. I think it’ll be very much like the Red Bull Ring, where the tow is massive, managing the exit out of Parabolica and everyone around you smartly so that you give them the DRS when you want, and being able to pull away when you can, that’s going be the key. DRS management and trying and be smart with the people around you that you’re not falling down the order early on and you’re consistently in the fight for the whole race.
“Looking at the stats throughout the year, we’ve been very consistent, especially in the Feature Races and ultimately, putting it into perspective, I’ll go for it in the Feature Race and try and make as many positions as I can, but that’s a lot, lot easier said than done.”
“I’m feeling pretty okay, pretty calm. I still have a good chance to win, and I know that all I have to do is try my best and do my job. I’m sure the team will do their best to try and win so all we can do is our best.
“I mean of course it all depends on me, so I don’t need anyone to do bad in order for me to gain points on them, we are pretty even all of us in the top three. The key will be to really beat those top four drivers in the end, make sure to finish in front of them and gain more points.
“Of course, it would be really special to win the title at home, winning in Italy, at home will be very special, very nice, but it wouldn’t really change anything. Even if you win at all the other tracks, if you win, it’s a win, it doesn’t matter where but of course it would be more special doing it here.
“I’ve not really done anything extra for this weekend, every race we try to prepare as best as possible and try to win every single time. So, it’s the same thing we are trying to do here, prepare as usual, simulator, meetings, everything I do with the team, nothing crazy.”
“I’ve got to try to stay as calm as possible and to repeat what I’ve done throughout the year. I’ve been very consistent, and this is the most important thing if you want to stay in a good position for the Championship.
“With the race being at home, I have been more motivated than at other tracks, because Monza is a special track, for me it’s my home track, close to my house. At Imola and last year here, the support was amazing, and it is the same this year.
“I probably should have had one home win already this year, but it will be amazing to have my first win here. I have to take into account that I must score points. So, I will try to give my best, but without throwing away any good opportunities.
“Of course, the Championship is the goal. But I don’t want to focus too much on that. I would just focus on doing the best that I can.”