Sebastián Montoya finally achieved his breakthrough F2 moment with a maiden podium finish at the Monaco GP, but not before enduring one of the most dramatic afternoons of his racing career that saw him yo-yo between positions throughout the chaotic feature race.
The PREMA Racing driver, who had shown strong pace all weekend, found himself starting from the pit lane due to a technical issue during the formation lap, only to benefit from the multi-car pile-up at turn one that eliminated seven drivers and ultimately fight his way to a richly deserved third place.
A day of ups and downs
Reflecting on his tumultuous afternoon, Montoya couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of his race progression. “Yeah you’re laughing, but that’s pretty much my day,” he summarised. “Yesterday in the sprint we had a couple things to work on, and I had good confidence in the team last night that we could have gotten a podium today.”
“I had a good feeling last night. I don’t know why and then this morning as well everything was quite clear. The car felt quite good on the laps to the grid.”
However, disaster struck before the race even began. “Then I saw the formation lap by Imola and I kind of just shut off due to a technical issue, and I was in the pit lane again and then when I was leaving the pit lane I just saw it look like flashing and I saw half the grid stopped, and I just creeped on by, and honestly, I got to the pit lane,” he explained.
“I was just kind of surprised. I didn’t know what happened, and I’m really thankful that it was a rolling start not a setting start again.”
Strategic decisions under pressure
Like eventual winner Jak Crawford, Montoya attempted to capitalise on the late safety car period that would prove decisive in determining the final order. “And then I was behind [Leonardo] Fornaroli, that was nice and then the safety car. I tried to slow down as well as Jak did, but he barely made it and that’s where I said like you can’t really slow down a lot more, especially you don’t want to risk a penalty for going unnecessarily slow and then when I was getting to turn one I saw a safety car racing to get in front of Fornaroli and I went okay that’s interesting.”
The confusion continued in the pits as positions changed rapidly during the crucial safety car period at the F2 Monaco GP. “And then Arvid [Lindblad] passed me the pit lane and when I asked what position we were, and we were P4 I was not very happy about that but according to the pit lane obviously it’s not bad, and then I get out of the car and I just say thank you to the team for the amazing job they’ve done, and then they told me I’m P3 so it was a roller coaster today.”
Maiden podium breakthrough in Monaco
Despite the chaos, Montoya’s delight at finally achieving his first F2 podium was evident. “But no I’m really happy I’m extremely grateful,” he said. “That’s one thing I said I’m extremely grateful. We’ve been working really hard with the team it hasn’t really been the easiest starts of the season, but we have a lot of speed.”
“I’m really happy with the steps we’ve done this weekend in qualifying we were quite strong in the part was in a good window uh we worked a lot with the team to keep improving and after last week being in the pit lane and this week being in the pit lane again I’m extremely thankful I’m extremely grateful for this.”
When asked about the significance of achieving his breakthrough at Monaco specifically, Montoya emphasised the special nature of the achievement.
“In Monte Carlo I’m extremely happy because it’s been an absolute day. I said it’s honestly incredible and after it kind of went up and down this year, I’ve been a lot more consistent with the speed shadow we were quick and low we were quick Australia we were quick and yeah after last week not really being able to maximise obviously going from the pit lane to the points it was a good drive and the car was really fast so to be able to bounce back and finish my podium.”
Building momentum
The podium represents the continuation of an upward trajectory for Montoya, who has been finding his rhythm in the championship. “So it’s the third race in a row that I get points it’s the fourth race in a row that I finish in the top ten,” he recapped. “The point is just keep doing what we do.”
“It’s been, as I said, a difficult season so far up and down here, and there. The team obviously, we have a lot of speed. We showed in testing that we were really strong, and it hasn’t been let’s say the results that the team had wanted. This weekend’s been really positive for us. Gabi [Minì] was on the podium yesterday. I’m on the podium today. Last week, we were really competitive, and the goal is to keep working like this and keep moving forward.”
Embracing the chaos
Despite the confusion and multiple position changes throughout the F2 Monaco GP, Montoya maintained his enjoyment of the racing spectacle. When asked by Pit Debrief if there was a point where he wanted the chaotic race to end, he responded, “I’m gonna be honest. When I was in the pit lane, I’m not gonna lie because I was not prepared for what was about to happen.”
“I didn’t even expect what happened but, honestly no. I enjoy every lap around here it’s an incredible circuit I’m extremely grateful. The field is super competitive the car has been incredible and after the whole thing and I realised that I was gonna be in the front again. I was ready for the challenge. I was ready for the opportunity and even with the roller coaster that happened it was something incredible.”
Preparing for the final leg of the European triple header
Living in Monaco provides Montoya with a logistical advantage during the demanding triple header sequence. “I’m very fortunate that PREMA is quite close to Imola and Monaco,” he said. “I drove Sunday after the Imola race to PREMA, did sim one day, then drove that night here in Monaco.”
“I live here so I just stayed in my apartment and then tonight I’m actually driving t to PREMA. It’s only like a five-hour drive so it’s okay. I’ll make my trainer drive.”
And addressing the suggestion by Pit Debrief of celebrating at Monaco’s famous casino, Montoya added with a laugh, “I’m not gonna go to the casino tonight.”
“I think Jak [Crawford] is gonna go right? And he’s gonna miss his flight. But yeah, honestly it was incredible. I feel very fortunate and yeah hopefully we continue having this luck throughout the rest of the year.”
The result caps off a good weekend for PREMA at the F2 Monaco GP, with Gabriel Minì having secured a podium in Saturday’s sprint race, suggesting the Italian team has found the formula for improvement, as the season reaches its crucial midway point.
