F2 | Sprint Race | Belgian GP | Fornaroli takes victory from 3rd on the grid - Motorsport

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Alex Dunne started today’s Formula 2 Belgian GP Sprint Race on a high after securing a dominant pole in Qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps with a 1:57.151. The Rodin Motorsport driver was untouchable on Friday, topping both Free Practice and Qualifying as he tightened his grip on the title fight. However, with the reverse grid in effect, it’s Amaury Cordeel and Ollie Goethe who lined up on the front row for the Sprint, setting the stage for a dramatic battle as Dunne and the championship contenders charge through the field.

It’s lights out for the F2 Sprint at the Belgian GP

Fornaroli took the lead from Goethe, leading the pack into the 18 laps of today. An incident in the back caused a yellow flag, right before a Virtual Safety Car was deployed. Jak Crawford and Luke Browning collided right at the start, making contact with Verschoor, causing the first Yellow Flag. Damage led to Verschoor spinning round at the end of Eau Rouge. With great reaction times of the other drivers behind him, they managed to avoid any contact.

With a Full Safety Car underway, it was clear that Browning couldn’t continue the F3 Sprint Race of the Belgian GP. Championship leader Richard Verschoor followed suit, as his car leaked fuel. Race Control led the pack through the pit lane, to keep the track clear, as the track got cleaned up.

Safety Car ending and fight at the front

As the track got green again, Fornaroli led the Sprint Race, followed by Cordeel and Goethe around Spa. Another Yellow Flag was brought out for a track hazard, though going green again after a few seconds. Red Bull Junior teammates, Marti and Lindblad, fought for P5, while a fight at the front started. With Goethe being in Cordeel’s DRS, the Rodin driver needed to fight off the Red Bull Junior from behind, all while he pushed to overtake Fornaroli and getting the lead.

Fornaroli set the fastest lap as it came to the halfway point of the F3 Sprint Race at the Belgian GP. Meanwhile, Miní needed to hold off McLaren Junior Alex Dunne. There seemed to be an issue with the car of Alpine Junior Maini, as he entered the pits. Goethe went wide through Eau Rouge, leading to him having to fight off Victor Martins behind him. This caused him to lose time to Cordeel in front of him.

Retirement for local driver Cordeel

While Goethe struggled to stay in front of Martins, there was no chance for him without the DRS from Cordeel. Goethe was now right in the fight that had been happening since the beginning, from P4 down to P8. As Dunne is chasing Miní for P7, Minì almost lost his car, though being able to save it and stay in front. With Martins closing the gap to Cordeel, the hopes for a win for Martins rose again. Meanwhile, the gaps behind started to become bigger, which gave Martins some air to try and overtake.

Using DRS to overtake Cordeel on Camel straight, Martins made contact with the Belgian driver. Causing a Yellow Flag and a retirement for Cordeel in the F2 Sprint Race. As the Safety Car is deployed, Goethe was now back on the podium places. With the Safety Car out, almost all drivers used the time to pit for new tires. While the charge for P2 happened, Miní overtook Lindblad, who had no luck in the pits.

Restart with 5 laps left to the F2 Sprint Race at the Belgian GP

As the track went green again, Miní began to chase Goethe for P3 and came out on top from the German. Further back, there was contact between Lindblad and Beganovic during the restart. With DRS resumed, Goethe began to chase Minì while getting chased by Red Bull Junior, Pepe Marti. As Dunne chased Marti behind Goethe, tried to enlarge the gap. Though trying to overtake, Dunne was the one to lose during the fight, falling back to P7.

Race ended under the Safety Car

While the fight gone on in the back, Fornaroli was able to drive comfortably in front with almost 2 seconds between him and P2. With 2 laps left to go, Meguetounif stopped on the Camel straight, causing a Safety Car. This is how the Sprint Race ended.

Leo Fornaroli won the F2 Sprint Race at the Belgian GP, after leading the race from start to finish, followed by Victor Martins and Gabriele Minì. This result puts Fornaroli up to P3 in the F3 Drivers Championship.