Belgium – Race 1: Overwhelming victory for De Vries
A controlled start allowed Nyck de Vries to lead his race without worry. Artem Markelov's offset strategy didn't work, but the Russian gained positions on the track. A significant wheelspin at the start cost George Russell the 2nd place, to the benefit of Sergio Sette Camara.
At the lights out, it was difficult for George Russell to maintain his 2nd place, Sergio Sette Camara managed to take the advantage. Nyck de Vries on pole was not challenged.
On the first run across the timing line, Lando Norris is in 4th place, with the Carlin driver managing to get the better of Luca Ghiotto. Alexander Albon and Fuoco battle up the Kemmel and are neck and neck at Les Combes. Antonio Fuoco manages to keep the advantage.
At the start of the 3rd lap, Artem Markelov outbrakes Louis Delétraz at La Source to take 9th place. In the same lap, at the chicane braking, he gains the upper hand over Alexander Albon. At the front, Nyck de Vries widens the gap and by the approach of the 6th lap, he is 4.4 seconds ahead of Sergio Sette Camara.
Lap 5: Günther passes Deletraz before Eau Rouge, taking P11 #F2
— FIA Formula 2 (@FIA_F2) 25 août 2018
Incisive under braking, Artem Markelov takes advantage over Luca Ghiotto at the Bus Stop chicane. The Russian is now in 6th place and is eyeing Antonio Fuoco’s position. At the back of the pack, Dorian Boccolacci, who started from the pits after stalling on the grid, gains 3 positions thanks to the first pit stops from Nirei Fukuzumi, Delétraz, and Maini.
On the 9th lap, George Russell, Lando Norris, Luca Ghiotto, and Alexander Albon came into the pit. A lap later, it’s the turn of Sergio Sette Camara, Nissany, and Jack Aitken to make their stop. On the 11th lap, the leader Nyck de Vries stops and loses a bit of time, coming out 9th in front of Sette Camara.
Artem Markelov is now the leader ahead of Nicholas Latifi and Antonio Fuoco. Maximilian Günther manages to overtake Fuoco on the 12th lap, behind Lando Norris overtakes both Ralph Boschung and Tadasuke Makino in quick succession on the climb to Blanchimont, and as he crosses the line, he is 7th behind Russell.
On the 14th lap, Artem Markelov finally heads to the pits, accompanied by Latifi and Günther. De Vries, Sette Camara, Russell, and Norris regain their positions. On the ascent before the Bus Stop, Nirei Fukuzumi comes to a stop. Flames are rising from the engine hood of his BWT Arden.
Fukuzumi’s car is on fire just before the Bus Stop! It’s a VSC #F2
— FIA Formula 2 (@FIA_F2) 25 août 2018
The safety car comes onto the track to allow the marshals to clear Fukuzumi’s single-seater, and the laps go by. At the end of the 18th lap, the safety car pulls away, and the race resumes for the remaining 7 laps.
A flag is waved in sector 2, Ralph Boschung is in the grass after Bruxelles. He gets out of his car with displeasure. Luca Ghiotto and Alexander Albon are battling for 5th place, with Ghiotto holding the advantage. The yellow flag remains in place in sector 2, Albon manages to overtake Ghiotto just before the end of the first sector. The Campos driver is now threatened by Artem Markelov, he defends his position fiercely against the Russian despite two strong attacks.
At the front, positions are unchanged. De Vries maintains a 2.6s advantage at the beginning of the final lap over Sette Camara. Russell holds onto his 3rd place while Norris has to defend against Albon, who is eyeing his 4th place. At the line, Markelov manages to snatch 6th place from Ghiotto by a few thousandths.
It’s win #3 for @nyckdevries !#F2 pic.twitter.com/I4fDQXOTDD
— FIA Formula 2 (@FIA_F2) 25 août 2018
The ranking at the end of the session:
#F2 – Here are the results of the feature race at @circuitspa 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/vZcbHW6aZH
— FIA (@fia) 25 août 2018
From our special correspondent at Spa-Francorchamps
