The Temple of Speed delivered drama in abundance during the Formula 2 Feature Race at the Italian Grand Prix, but it was Luke Browning who emerged victorious, converting his maiden pole position into his first Formula 2 win in spectacular fashion at the legendary Monza circuit.
A perfect start under pressure
Starting from pole position, the Hitech driver faced the daunting challenge of leading at a circuit where history suggested the odds were stacked against him. Only Oscar Piastri in 2021 had managed to win an F2 Feature Race from pole at Monza, making Browning’s task all the more significant.
As the five red lights went out, Browning executed a flawless getaway, maintaining his lead into the first chicane whilst chaos erupted behind him, disrupting the F2 Feature Race in Monza. The opening lap saw Kush Maini finding himself in the gravel after a side-by-side battle with Arvid Lindblad through turn one, setting the tone for what would prove to be a race defined by incidents and safety car interruptions.
Navigating the chaos
The race’s complexion changed dramatically when Alex Dunne crashed at Ascari’s entry after contact with Lindblad, bringing out the first safety car on lap 6. The incident proved costly for those who had pitted early, including Tim Goethe, who dropped to eighth after his strategic gamble backfired when the entire field pitted under the caution.
Browning’s composure shone through as he controlled the first restart, but drama struck again when Lindblad locked up into turn one, wiping out Roman Stanek and spinning Victor Martins in a multi-car incident that necessitated a second safety car period.
The pivotal moment of Browning’s race came during the third safety car restart at the halfway point. Having controlled the previous restarts with authority, the young Briton found himself under intense pressure from Joshua Duerksen. The Paraguayan driver made his move stick down the main straight, sweeping past Browning into turn one to take the race lead.
However, Browning’s championship mettle was evident in his response. Rather than panic, he stalked Duerksen relentlessly, waiting for his opportunity. That moment came on lap 19 when he made a decisive move down the front straight, retaking the lead into turn one with a perfectly executed overtake.
Controlling the final stint
With the lead regained, Browning demonstrated the racecraft of a seasoned campaigner, managing his tyres and maintaining his advantage as the field behind him descended into further battles. Leonardo Fornaroli and Dino Beganovic engaged in fierce combat for positions further back, whilst Browning extended his margin over the chasing pack.
The final laps saw Browning under pressure from Duerksen once more, with Victor Martins also joining the fight for victory. However, the Hitech driver’s composure never wavered, crossing the chequered flag 3.5 seconds clear of Duerksen, with Martins completing the podium.
Post-race reflections
Speaking after his breakthrough victory, Browning was understandably elated. “Yeah, it’s the monkey off the back, I think,” he said. “Not like, to be honest, I was majorly bothered. I thought, I think the main thing is gathering the points, but equally it’s very, very nice to have a first place trophy in the cabinet here, and to say that I’m a Formula 2 winner.”
The significance of winning at Monza wasn’t lost on the young driver: “The podium here is really special, I think it’s one of the best in the year. So to walk across that stage, yeah, it felt really special today, so I want to step up from everyone around.”
Regarding his race strategy, Browning revealed his straightforward approach. “Honestly, no. I was just ready to fight.” Browning stated, “I knew I wanted to win it, but not at all costs. I just wanted to get the best result that I could. I was realistic coming into today, having understood the pace yesterday, and just trying to get the best result that we could, and today the best result that we could was P1.”
"It feels very special" ✨@LukeBrown1ng reacts after securing his maiden #F2 race victory in the Monza Feature and looks ahead to the next round at Baku 🗣️👇#ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/oPPyZYqKLT
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) September 8, 2025
Championship implications
The victory propels Browning to second in the championship standings, now just 21 points behind leader Leonardo Fornaroli with the season entering its crucial phase. His recent strong performances in Feature Races have established him as a serious title contender.
“Yeah, for sure. I think it’s always nice to take this step after coming back after a big break to be quick. It shows the preparation, the fitness, and I’ve not lost focus, which is nice,” Browning reflected on his championship momentum.
Defending the driving standards
When questioned about the numerous incidents during the race, Browning provided a mature perspective on the competitive nature of Formula 2. “Yeah, being honest, I didn’t see anything. Obviously I’ve heard about it,” he admitted. “But equally, I think it’s important to put this into perspective. You’ve got 20 of the best young drivers in the world all fighting for 20 spots in Formula 1, which is likely the next three to four seats over the next two years.”
“They all want to show that they’re the best. They all want to win. And everyone wants to win badly. And the reward is massive. So, yeah, when you have that on the table, everyone is trying their absolute best.”
“No one wants to crash. And generally, the driving standards in Formula 2 have been fantastic. And Monza specifically, when you’ve got as many safety car restarts as we have, and the opportunity to overtake into T1, it’s only natural. So, yeah, that’s what it is.”
Trusting fellow F2 drivers
When asked by Pit Debrief about maintaining trust and focus during the chaotic race, Browning demonstrated his maturity. “Yeah, I thought at no point did I think that I was not going to finish the race,” he said. “And I try not to think about that because what you think about, you bring about.”
“And just, yeah, try and get the most out of the situation that you can. I think it’s important to just have a bit of perspective when you’re in the car, with who you’re racing against and why they’re attacking the way they are.”
“With that in mind, make the most out of the situation. And sometimes someone needs it more than someone else at an exact point. And maybe it’s not worth fighting tooth and nail for that right then. But then sometimes you need it. So, yeah, it’s one of those. But yeah, they’re very talented guys, especially here on the sofa. So it’s great to be in good company.”
The end of the European leg
With Monza marking the final European round of the season, Browning’s F2 Feature Race victory comes at the perfect time as the championship battle intensifies. His ability to convert pole position into victory, combined with his mature racecraft and championship mindset, establishes him as a formidable force in the title fight.
