Monaco – F2 – Race 2: Fuoco winner in the chaos, Norris extends lead in the championship
The Charouz Racing driver converted his pole position into a victory, after resisting Lando Norris' attacks, who now has a 29-point lead over the competition. Fuoco's teammate, Louis Delétraz, takes third place. Only half of the field made it to the finish line, after several accidents.
Antonio Fuoco kept the lead from start to finish. Starting from pole thanks to the reverse grid, the Italian driver from Charouz Racing team secured his second victory in Formula 2. The Ferrari Driver Academy member still had to fight hard to maintain his position against Lando Norris.
Third on the grid, the young Briton was determined, amidst the yellow flags raised following the numerous accidents. Norris finally takes second place and will console himself with this important information: the McLaren reserve driver is extending his lead at the top of the overall drivers’ standings.
Everything was decided at the start for Norris, who stole the second place on the inside that was originally Jack Aitken’s (ART Grand Prix). Aitken’s race quickly turned sour, slowing down in the first corners… and hindering the whole pack behind him. The driver starting second on the grid was then forced to retire.
Behind, Louis Déletraz (Charouz Racing) took advantage of the situation to pass Arjun Maini (Trident) and move up to third place. The Swiss driver secures the first podium of his career in the antechamber of the elite, after a close call with Artem Markelov (Russian Time) at Anthony Noghès corner as the Russian rocket attempted a daring overtaking move.
Slight contact between @LouisDeletraz and @ArtemMarkelov6. #F2 pic.twitter.com/wuIsJWbb07
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) May 26, 2018
In the meantime, Artem Markelov had climbed to fifth place by the end of the first lap. The winner of the main race then attacked Maini for the fourth position. His overtake at Rascasse is a copy-paste of the one made in Formula 1 by Jules Bianchi on Kamui Kobayashi in 2014. Judge for yourself!
What a move in Rascasse by @ArtemMarkelov6 to take fourth position! #F2 pic.twitter.com/QtcOXh4BqR
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) May 26, 2018
The top 5 is completed by Roberto Merhi, also author of a good weekend in the Principality, after his third place obtained during the Friday race.
Series of crashes
The young drivers offered us a race marked by numerous accidents. The main one was caused by Sean Gelael on the 5th lap, at the exit of the first sequence of the Swimming Pool. The Prema Racing driver took off on the inside kerb of the sequence before hitting the outside on exit. The Indonesian driver ripped off the entire left side of his car and mainly caused the deployment of the Safety Car for 5 laps. Fortunately, he does not suffer from any particular injuries.
Incredible accident by S.Gelael and hence safety car on track 💭⚠️/ Impressive crash of S.Gelael and the safety car on the track #MonacoGp @F2_Fanatic pic.twitter.com/7zDqUAGq4h
— Automobile Club MC (@ACM_Media) May 26, 2018
. This race also left three drivers out in the cold from the start: Nyck de Vries (Prema Racing), Luca Ghiotto (Campos) and Tadasuke Makino (Russian Time). Blame it once again on that darn clutch, which ruined the race for the first two. To top it off for the Japanese driver, who had made a good start before hitting the car in front of him. A rather spectacular image, but fortunately not dramatic: more scare than harm for the two drivers.
Tadasuke Makino also didn’t get going and he got hit by @luca_ghiotto. #F2 pic.twitter.com/4vaM92gwfq
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) May 26, 2018
In the accidents section, George Russell is unfortunately well placed this weekend, with two crashes in as many races. This time, the British driver from the ART team smashed his car at the exit of the swimming pool chicane. Bad publicity for one of Mercedes’ hopefuls.
Finally, the last incident occurred on the 27th lap, at the chicane at the Tunnel exit. Poleman on Thursday, Alexander Albon came to a standstill on Saturday. Another race to forget for the Thai, who collided with Roy Nissany (Campos), fighting for eleventh place. Spectacular images once again, with one driver sideways and another in the Tecpro walls. An incident that benefited Fuoco, crossing the line under Safety Car conditions.
Norris and Carlin are making good deals this weekend
Youngest driver in the category, Lando Norris takes advantage of his consistency to open a gap at the top of the championship. He now has 100 points on the scoreboard, 29 more than his two closest pursuers: Alexander Albon and Artem Markelov, both on 71 points. In fourth place overall remains George Russell, despite his double retirement in Monaco. Carlin also benefits from ART Grand Prix’s zero score to soar: 146 points for Carlin against 111 for ART.
The Formula 2 has already completed its weekend in Monaco. The drivers will meet again on June 22 and 23, for the highly anticipated French Grand Prix, at the Castellet circuit.
We ❤️ the #MonacoGP!!! 🏆 🍾🏆🍾 #F2 pic.twitter.com/scmAkKta3l
— CharouzRacingSystem (@charouzracing) May 26, 2018
From our special correspondent in Monaco
