F2 | Feature Race | Hungarian GP | Fornaroli leads an Invicta 1-2 with dominant victory - Motorsport

Spread the love

Invicta Racing’s Leonardo Fornaroli stormed to his first Feature Race win at the F2 Hungarian GP, full report and results below.

During Qualifying, it was Roman Staněk’s day as he stormed to claim his maiden F2 pole position. With two full seasons under his belt, the Czech driver delivered an impressive lap to catapult himself to the top of the timings. Joining him on the front-row was teammate Leonardo Fornaroli to complete an Invicta Racing front-row lockout on Sunday. However, emerging victorious on Sprint Saturday was Campos Racing’s Pepe Martí. Narrowly hanging onto the lead, the Spaniard fiercely battled with Rodin Motorsport’s Alex Dunne right until the last lap to claim victory.

It is worth noting, PREMA Racing’s Sebastian Montoya received a three-place grid penalty for both races after having found to have impeded DAMS Lucas Oil’s Kush Maini during Qualifying. The Colombian had qualified P18, but will now start P21. However, fresh off his maiden Feature Race win he inherited in Spa, Staněk has an excellent opportunity to make it back-to-back wins.

Lights out and away we go for the Feature Race!

A decision was made by Race Control for the formation lap to be led away behind the Safety Car. Despite a slightly damp track, it appeared that all drivers had opted to fit on slick tyres for the start of the race. Soon, it was decided the race would start with a rolling start. Leading the grid down to Turn 1, both Invicta’s nailed the start and immediately pulled a gap from Crawford in P3.

In the Top 10, several drivers by the likes of Martins, Lindblad and Martí had chosen to execute the alternative strategy. Meanwhile, Villagomez lunged down the inside of Beganovic and claimed P15. Subsequently, Meguetounif was next to pass the Swede and made his way to P16.

Meanwhile, further up the field, Dunne attempted a move around the outside of Lindblad. But with better traction, the Briton held onto P7 as Martins momentarily ran wide. The Frenchman dropped back to P12. Side-by-side headed into Turn 1, Crawford and Browning fiercely battled for a net-podium finish. Yellow flags flew momentarily for Miyata who had spun headed into Turn 1.

Two VSCs deployed for Cordeel and Martins

Heading down the main straight, a cloud of smoke emerged from the rear of Cordeel’s car. As the Rodin driver parked his car further down the straight, a Virtual Safety Car was deployed on Lap 6. A quick retrieval of Cordeel’s car from the marshals meant we were back racing on Lap 7. Catching Goethe and Dürksen, Lindblad gained two positions in two corners—he had now made his way up to P5. Executing a similar move to Lindblad, replay showed Minì capitalising on Verschoor and Martí’s scrap and made his way through to claim P9.

It wasn’t long before another VSC was deployed. This time round it was for Martins on Lap 10. Coming through Turn 12, the Frenchman appeared to have stopped in the middle of the track. Trying to attack Lindblad, Goethe locked up his tyres and ran straight on as they headed into the penultimate corner. A six way battle for the points-scoring positions continued. A big lock up was seen from Dunne as he went side-by-side with Dürksen. Getting his elbows out was Goethe as he continued to climb his way through.

Option tyre runners stop

First of the option tyre runners into the pits were Browning, Minì, Villagomez and Dürksen. On the next lap, Staněk and Crawford was next into the pits to swap their soft tyres for mediums. Now leading the race were both Campos’ who were on the alternative strategy. A storming out-lap from Fornaroli made the undercut work for him. Five seconds clear of Staněk, the Italian now held on to the net-lead. After colliding with Minì, Bennett returned to the pits and retired his car after sustaining damage to his rear-suspension.

Good news for Fornaroli, the stewards determined no further action was need for his Safety Car infringement. However, bad news for the Italian, Fornaroli was handed a five-second time penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Since switching onto the prime tyres, Crawford was lighting up the timing sheets as he was setting quick laps.

Verschoor first of alternative strategy runners to stop

First into the pits of the prime-option runners was Verschoor as 14 laps remained. Next into the pits, Campos’ informed Lindblad to push as they were forced to pit to cover for Verschoor. Although it was a slow stop for the Briton, he rejoined the track to slot behind Browning. Subsequently, Martí was next to dart into the pits. The three Red Bull Juniors of Goethe, Martí and Lindblad battled it out as both Campos’ struggled to warm their tyres.

Chasing Staněk, Crawford continued to close in on the Czech driver. Side-by-side into Turn 8, Goethe and Lindblad weren’t afraid of getting their elbows out as they showcased another great battle. Meanwhile, a late lunge down the inside of Staněk, Crawford locked up his tyres as they exited the first corner. Side-by-side into Turn 2, Staněk sent it around the outside and reclaimed his net-P2 finish.

As it stood, the gap between Fornaroli and Staněk was more than five seconds. If the Italian maintained that five-second gap, this meant Fornaroli would still be the race-winner. Fornaroli passed Miyata easily—who was yet to pit. Now back in the lead, the reigning F3 championship stormed out in front.

All drivers continued to battle as few laps remained

On Lap 34, black and white flags flew for Crawford. Beganovic continued to make his way through the field and caught up to the rear of Lindblad’s car. Defending from the Swede, Lindblad managed to shield off Beganovic for another lap. On the penultimate lap, Miyata finally made his way into the pits for his mandatory pit stop.

Putting in an impressive defensive drive, Lindblad continued to keep Beganovic behind. Meanwhile out in front, Fornaroli had a seven second advantage from his teammate. As Beganovic and Lindblad continued battle, Goethe and Dunne joined the fight. Dominating the field this weekend, Fornaroli crossed the line victorious to secure his first Feature Race win. Following closely behind, Staněk completed an Invicta one-two rounding up a great weekend for the team.