Mar.8 (GMM) Pedro de la Rosa had at least something to celebrate in Melbourne beyond his Aston Martin ambassador duties, with his 19-year-old nephew Bruno del Pino winning on his Formula 3 debut in the support programme to the Australian GP.
Del Pino, who previously raced in Spanish Formula 4 with Drivex – the team co-founded by de la Rosa himself – took pole position and led from start to finish in the shortened sprint race for Van Amersfoort Racing.
The race was red-flagged after eight of the scheduled 20 laps following a barrier-damaging crash involving Sharp and Wharton, and with F1 qualifying imminent, it was not restarted.
Among those cheering him on from the pitwall was Otmar Szafnauer, the former Alpine and Aston Martin F1 team boss who is now CEO of Van Amersfoort.
Del Pino dedicated the win to his uncle. “When I finished, I thought of my whole family, my parents, you,” he told de la Rosa on DAZN.
“I loved that when I arrived after winning, you were there celebrating, so happy. I didn’t shed a tear because I’m not one to cry much, but I had a huge smile because it was unbeatable.
“This trophy is for everyone who was there, and you’re a part of it.”