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F2 hit the track at Monza for the Sprint Race that saw chaos on the opening lap and tight battles for points.
Formula 2 returned from the summer break to race at Monza. A big talking point over the weekend included two F2 drivers making the move up to Formula 1 and an F3 driver debuting in F2. Franco Colapinto, a Williams Junior, has been promoted to the F1 team as James Vowles made the decision to drop Logan Sargeant for the second half of the season.
The other driver that’s been the talk of the paddock has been perhaps one of the worst kept secrets. And that is Andrea Kimi Antonelli graduating to F1 to drive for Mercedes. The young Italian took part in FP1 yesterday for the team, but is back racing with PREMA today. Also, Oliver Goethe, who has previously raced in F3 this year, is racing in F2 this season.
The free practice session and Qualifying saw Zane Maloney take the top spot of the timesheets, marking his maiden F2 pole position.
However, for the Sprint Race, due to the reverse grid, it was Enzo Fittipaldi on pole position ahead of Amaury Cordeel and Pepe Martí. The rest of the grid lined up as follows:
How we'll start the Sprint ?
Where's your favourite starting? ?#F2 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/7RRaUSWZS7
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) August 30, 2024
With the grid set, it was Oliver Bearman who took the victory around the Temple of Speed. But let’s get into how F2 created Monza magic in the Sprint Race.
Lights out and Safety Car
Kush Maini was slow getting off the line on the formation lap but he managed to get going and start the race as normal. When the lights went out, Fittipaldi got a good launch off the line and managed to hold onto F1.
Martí had a good start as well and got ahead of Cordeel who had a slow start. But into Turn 1, the yellow flags were brought out straightaway and subsequently a Safety Car.
Goethe ended up in the wall. Zak O’Sullivan was also out and Antonelli was caught up in the chaos with no front wing and a damaged floor.
O’Sullivan came across the track and hit Goethe, putting Goethe into the wall. O’Sullivan headed for the run-off, but made contact with Antonelli as he did so. The replay shoed Antonelli comes into the pits to replace the front wing, and he headed back out on track.
Safety Car Restart
On lap three, the Safety Car came in and Martí led the pack on the restart. The Spaniard tried to hold onto the lead, but Fittipaldi got ahead. However, the Brazilian locked up into Turn 1 and used the run-off.
LAP 4 / 21
? GREEN FLAGS ?
Enzo Fittipaldi goes for the race lead, but locks-up and has to straight-line the chicane, dropping him down to P4, as Marrti maintains position #F2 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/tjbh2e2BNB
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) August 31, 2024
Victor Martins then got ahead of Fittipaldi and Bearman followed the Frenchman, putting Fittipaldi in fourth. Down the main straight, Bearman was on the charge to try and get ahead of Martins, but the ART Grand Prix driver held onto the second podium place.
He tried again and managed to get P2 at the chicane. Meanwhile, further back, Jak Crawford overtook the championship leader, Isack Hadjar, for P10. Antonelli, at the back of the pack, made a move against debut driver Koolen for P19.
Back up front, Martí couldn’t go round Turn 1 and had to go on the run-off, but was forced to give the place back to Bearman, to avoid receiving a penalty. That meant, Bearman, F1-bound for 2025, was the new race leader.
Gabriel Bortoleto had a moment with Rafael Villagomez, making brief contact, whilst Crawford took off the end plate of Cordeel’s front wing. The incident between Bortoleto and Villagomez was noted by Race Control.
Martins and Martí had a moment into Turn 1 as the Spaniard sent it down the outside to try and get ahead of Martins. But the Frenchman held onto P2.
Halfway point
By the halfway point of the race, Bortoleto had made his way passed the championship leader and into 11th. Up in sixth, Maloney managed to get ahead of title rival Aron whilst Joshua Duerksen of AIX Racing overtook Martí for fourth.
LAP 11 / 21
After losing out to Fittipaldi a lap prior, Marti now loses out to Joshua Duerksen and drops to P5
The Campos driver is struggling on his tyres ?#F2 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/lrRWYp5B4k
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) August 31, 2024
Bortoleto then overtook his Invicta Racing teammate, showing his pace as took P10 from Maini.
On the radio, MartГ complained about his tyres, saying “I’m on ******* ice.”В?Fittipaldi’s race worsened when Duerksen overtook the Van Amersfoort Racing driver for the final podium position.
Crawford attempted an overtake on Aron, braking late into Turn 1. But the Hitech Pulse-Eight driver said no and blocked Crawford whilst Dennis Hauger overtook the American and slotted into P8 behind Aron.
Final few laps
Fittipaldi came under more pressure as Martí and Maloney tried to overtake him. Going down the main straight, Fittipaldi tried to break the tow, but Martí got ahead into Turn 1. Maloney couldn’t quite get passed, but was still chasing the rear of the VAR driver.
Behind Maloney, Aron was chasing with Hauger close behind him. Once again, overtaking attempts were made down the main straight.
Martí held off Fittipaldi, but Crawford got ahead of Aron as he made contact with Maloney. Unfortunately for Aron, he fell out of the points to P19 due to damage, which will not help his championship fight.
On the next lap, Crawford and Hauger went wheel to wheel and carbon fibre flew off the MP driver’s car. Crawford got ahead for P7 whilst Bortoleto closed in from behind, eager to score a point. Maloney then overtook Fittipaldi on the final lap to get into the top five.
Results
Since gaining the lead from MartГ,В? Bearman held onto P1 and took the victory. Three drivers were forced to retire from the race, which were Goethe, O’Sullivan, and Aron, who came into the pits on lap 20 after falling through the pack.
The top eight of the F2 Sprint Race was as followed:
1 – Bearman
2 – Martins
3 – Duerksen
4 – Martí
5 – Maloney
6В? – Fittipaldi
7 – Crawford
8 – Hauger
Headline image: X @Formula2