Sebastián Montoya will serve a three-place grid drop for both the Sprint and Feature Races of the F2 Hungarian GP after being found guilty of impeding Kush Maini during Friday’s qualifying session at the Hungaroring. Montoya, driving for Campos Racing, blocked Maini at the exit of Turn 2 while the DAMS Lucas Oil driver attempted a flying lap, forcing Maini to abandon his run.
The Stewards summoned both drivers and their teams after the session. They reviewed video footage, GPS data, and team communications. The evidence showed that Montoya exited Turn 2 on the racing line, despite receiving information about approaching traffic. At that moment, Maini had just overtaken Gabriel Minì and rapidly closed the gap to Montoya. Although Montoya allowed some drivers to pass, he failed to move aside for Maini.
Maini tried to avoid Montoya by tightening his line, but he lost rear traction and had to abort his qualifying attempt. The Stewards determined that Montoya could have avoided the incident. They concluded that he unnecessarily impeded another driver, breaching Article 31.6 of the FIA F2 Sporting Regulations.
Montoya had initially qualified in eighteenth place. With the penalty applied, he will start both races from twenty-first. The Stewards did not assign any penalty points to Montoya’s Super Licence.
Stewards cite clear breach of Article 31.6
The decision referenced Article 31.6, which prohibits impeding during Qualifying. The Stewards confirmed that Montoya received adequate notice from his team about fast-approaching cars. His choice to remain on the racing line directly contributed to the obstruction. The Stewards deemed the incident unnecessary and avoidable. They applied the standard grid penalty as outlined in the 2025 regulations.
Montoya’s three-place drop applies to both races in Budapest, aligning with current Stewards’ guidelines for the F2 season.
Rodin Motorsport fined for unsafe release of Dunne
In a separate investigation, the Stewards fined Rodin Motorsport €500 for an unsafe pit lane release involving Alexander Dunne. During the session, Car 17 (Dunne) exited the team’s pit box into the path of Car 15 (Ritomo Miyata), who was travelling through the fast lane. Miyata braked to avoid a collision.
The Stewards summoned both drivers and their teams. They reviewed video evidence and determined that Dunne acted according to his team mechanic’s signal and moved immediately into the lane. The footage confirmed this account. The Stewards held the team responsible and found that the release breached Article 28.12(a) of the FIA F2 Sporting Regulations.
Although Dunne avoided a personal penalty, the team must pay the €500 fine within forty-eight hours via bank transfer to the FIA. The Stewards did not apply any penalty points in this case.
Penalties alter outlook ahead of Budapest races
Montoya’s grid drop creates a tougher path for points at a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult. His starting position of twenty-first in both races significantly reduces his chances of progressing through the field. Meanwhile, Rodin Motorsport faces no impact on Dunne’s grid position, but the incident highlights the importance of strict procedural discipline in the pit lane.
