Italian F2 Grand Prix: Bearman wins, Pourchaire almost champion
Théo Pourchaire, starting from pole position, finished in 3rd place in a race won by Oliver Bearman this Sunday at Monza. The French driver takes a big step towards the title before the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Frederik Vesti may be doing his best, but the elements are against him in this end of the F2 season. The Danish driver was involved in a collision in the first lap with Roman Stanek, who was at fault in the maneuver. This is the second consecutive retirement for Mercedes’ protege, who is letting vital points slip away and jeopardizing his chances at the title.
Frederik Vesti dans l’herbe dans le 1er tour ❌
L’adversaire principal de Théo Pourchaire au championnat #F2 contraint à l’abandon du #ItalianGP 🤯
Sortie de piste pour Clément Novalak également ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/X7P7jxAnjS
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) September 3, 2023
Especially since Théo Pourchaire did not miss the opportunity to make a strong move. While he had only a 6-unit lead after the sprint race, the Frenchman now has a 25-point lead thanks to his 3rd place finish. Often delivering a clean race where he managed to avoid trouble, the ART driver makes a big impact in the championship.
Five safety cars animate the race
However, the race was eventful with four safety cars, first caused by Vesti’s exit, and then by Arthur Leclerc’s, who played bowling with the polystyrene blocks at the first corner, the big crash of Zane Maloney, the retirements of Kush Maini and Jack Crawford.
Big crash on the restart in #F2
Zane Maloney gets sent into the wall by Roy Nissany 😱
The Carlin driver has exited the car 🙏 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/ZTuYpV4qCu
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) September 3, 2023
During the second intervention of the Safety Car, the drivers rushed into the pit lane. Forchaire, who was second behind Bearman, could have benefited from ART’s successful pit stop, but Prema released the British driver right in front of him, in a dangerous and illegal manner.
Victor Martins had to retire a few laps later after receiving a black and orange flag because his DRS refused to close. The Frenchman held onto the podium, but lost valuable points to Ayumu Iwasa (2nd) in the battle for third place in the championship.
Abandon for Victor Martins 😩
Disappointment for the Frenchman, victim of a DRS problem ❌#ItalianGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/gz7W94lgYk
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) September 3, 2023
The race ranking
1. Oliver Bearman
2. Ayumu Iwasa
3. Théo Pourchaire
4. Enzo Fittipaldi
5. Denis Hauger
6. Jack Doohan
7. Jehan Daruvala
Amaury Cordeel
9. Ralph Boschung
10. Isack Hadjar
11. Joshua Mason.
12. Richard Verschoor
13. Juan Manuel Correa
14. Roman Stanek
15. Roy Nissany
Abandons:
Clément Novalak
Jack Crawford
Frederik Vesti
Arthur Leclerc
Victor Martins
Kush Maini
Zane Maloney
