In Formula 1, there is currently only one German driver, Nico Hülkenberg. But in the supporting programme of the premier class, another German wants to drive herself into the limelight: Sophia Flörsch (22/PHM Racing by Charouz).

The driver from Munich celebrated her comeback to Formula 3 racing last weekend at the two Formula 3 races in Bahrain. Flörsch's team PHM Racing by Charouz is new to the junior series. Main goal: learning for the future.

In 2022, Charouz only scored one point. Even Verstappen wouldn't finish in the top 10 in the first race of 2023. It's simply not possible. A new team can't work magic. It needs data. Everyone is working on getting the top 15 and then the top 10 within reach. It won't happen overnight. Gather data, analyse, improve, sort out, gain experience. That's the way to go in a unified series. Big leaps are not possible. Unless you buy new cars right away.

Oh dear, what speculation there has been with me again.... Steering too heavy: Nonsense, no problem at all... Lack of ALPINE design on the car and suit: Yes, it wasn't finished. Bahrain and Melbourne aren't exactly around the corner. It will be on the car in Europe. It's annoying when even some motoring press prefer to read in coffee grounds instead of simply asking the team or me. Just be positive, relaxed and enjoy life. Push Formula 1 in Germany, it needs fan cult. Fan friends. Hulk is doing a great job at HAAS. That has to be celebrated. Fresh wind!

She is therefore satisfied with 22nd place in the sprint and 21st place in the main race and 24th place in the standings out of 30 drivers. "I'm back," says Sophia after the first race weekend in the desert, "I'm very happy to be back in FIA Formula 3. The team and I mainly collected data in Bahrain. These are now to be analysed to find out where we lose the important tenths of a second."

Very important: Flörsch had her two PHM teammates Roberto Faria (29th in the standings) and Piotr Wisnicki (28th) under control. And that despite the fact that she had to start the sprint with a handicap. A tyre change within the last five minutes led to the start from the pit lane. There, the 380 hp Formula 3 racing car could not be started at first. Several safety car phases and only six laps at race speed made the way to the Top15 impossible. Nevertheless, the race to catch up ended in 22nd place.

In the main race, the race started from 24th place. At the end of the race, 21st place was the result. Flörsch: "Starting from 24th place means to move up slowly at first and to deal with the risk in the starting phase as well as when overtaking. Especially in the middle sector I had a lot of oversteer on the rear axle."

The task now is to get to the bottom of the high wear on the Pirelli tyres that is responsible for this. "The understanding of the tyres has to improve," Flörsch emphasises the main task of her team in the coming weeks. The challenge remains great: "The field of drivers is very strong and close together."

One thing is certain: The reception in FIA Formula 3 and in the Bahrain paddock was extremely warm. As an Alpine junior, Sophia was allowed to look over the Formula 1 team's shoulder in the garage during the race and listen in on the radio. "I get a lot out of these insights," she says. "It helps me learn about the processes within a Formula 1 team and I can draw my own conclusions about the approach of drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon."

She was also a regular contributor to Sky Deutschland's Formula 1 coverage, commentating on a free practice session of the premier class, among other things. On Flörsch's Instagram channel alone, 5.8 million followers followed the German's F3 comeback.

With the positive start behind her, the focus is already on the future. The next two Formula 3 races will take place in Melbourne on 1 and 2 April as part of the Australian Grand Prix. "I'm looking forward to Australia with excitement and hope that we can push forward into the midfield," she formulates the next goal. "Thanks to PHM by Charouz, the Alpine Academy and WH Sports for the good teamwork!"

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SOPHIA
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