F2 | Sprint Race | Spanish GP | Podium finishes after strong recoveries - Motorsport

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Tyre strategy dramatically reshaped the outcome of the Formula 2 Barcelona Sprint Race, with MP Motorsport’s Richard Verschoor seizing victory amid late-race chaos. A safety car intervention on Lap 18 prompted half the field to pit for fresh soft tyres, rendering those who stayed out on worn hard tyres defenceless in the closing laps.

The final stages witnessed a dramatic reshuffling of the order in the F2 Spanish GP Sprint Race. Drivers on older rubber plummeted down the standings, powerless against the superior grip and pace of their rivals. It marked a stunning redemption for Alex Dunne, who had started P19 following a combined 13-place grid penalty. The Irish driver surged through the field on fresh tyres to finish second. Rafael Villagómez, previously 16th in the championship, also capitalised, claiming his maiden Formula 2 podium in third after starting last.

Starting grid for the Sprint Race

After qualifying tenth on Friday, Invicta Racing’s Leonardo Fornaroli started from pole, joined on the front row by AIX Racing’s Joshua Dürksen. Championship leader Luke Browning lined up third, with Jak Crawford in fourth, Verschoor fifth, and Roman Stanek sixth. Behind them, Kush Maini and Sebastian Montoya occupied the fourth row, while Arvid Lindblad and Mari Boya rounded out the top ten.

Further down the order, notable starters included Dino Beganovic in P11, Oliver Goethe in P12, Ritomo Miyata in P13, and Victor Martins in P14. Dunne, despite qualifying fifth, started from P19 after penalties for collisions in both Monaco and Barcelona. Villagómez lined up 22nd and last.

Early chaos at the front

At the start, Browning launched into the lead, passing the front row before the first corner. Crawford also made a lightning getaway from P4, sweeping around Fornaroli and Dürksen at Turn 1 to slot into second. Verschoor had a poor launch, dropping several places, while Miyata impressed by climbing from P13 to sixth within two laps.

By Lap 3, the leading quartet of Browning, Crawford, Fornaroli, and Dürksen had broken away. On Lap 4, Crawford, aided by DRS, attacked Browning for the lead. The two nearly made contact as Crawford forced his way around the outside. Despite a firm defence, Browning conceded the position.

Tyre management dominates mid-race

With the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya notorious for its tyre degradation, a management phase soon followed. By Lap 7, nearly the entire field formed a DRS train. In the midfield, Montoya came under pressure from his PREMA teammate Gabriele Minì, though neither could make significant progress.

Dürksen’s podium hopes faded on Lap 13 when he slowed with a technical issue, forcing an unscheduled pit stop. That same lap, Verschoor overtook Lindblad on the straight, but Lindblad retaliated into Turn 1. The pair collided, spinning the Red Bull Junior and triggering a brief yellow flag. Mari Boya took advantage to pass Verschoor for P7.

Safty Car shake-up changes everything

The race turned on Lap 18 when Minì and Montoya collided. As Minì attempted an outside overtake, Montoya drifted wide, spinning both drivers. Though Montoya rejoined, the safety car was deployed.

The top nine opted to stay out on used hard tyres, prioritising track position. Meanwhile, the rest of the field—including Verschoor, Dunne, Martins, Meguetounif, Coordeel, Villagómez, Montoya, Shields, Lindblad, and Dürksen—dived into the pits for softs.

When racing resumed on Lap 20, Crawford managed to keep Browning behind, but the advantage of fresh tyres quickly became clear. Verschoor immediately dispatched Beganovic, Marti, and then Stanek in rapid succession. Dunne followed suit, carving his way through the field in Verschoor’s wake.

By Lap 22, Fornaroli lost his podium place to the charging Dutchman, with Dunne swiftly demoting Browning as well. Both drivers set their sights on Crawford, who valiantly tried to defend but stood no chance on old tyres.

Verschoor Triumphs, Dunne and Villagómez Stun

Verschoor completed his charge on Lap 24, breezing past Crawford to take the lead. Dunne remained close behind but couldn’t mount a serious challenge. The Rodin Motorsport driver still secured a remarkable P2 finish, recovering from 19th on the grid.

Villagómez completed the fairytale story of the race. Starting from last, he stormed through on his fresh rubber to snatch third from Crawford in the dying moments, sealing his first-ever F2 podium for Van Amersfoort Racing.

Montoya also recovered from his earlier spin to finish an impressive fifth, capping off a wild and unpredictable sprint race in Barcelona.