Monaco Grand Prix F2 – Sprint Race 1: Guanyu Zhou in charge

If Formula 1 took a break on this Friday, it is not the case for Formula 2 which is starting its race marathon on this Monegasque weekend. The first of the 3 races of this weekend was spectacular, as often in the Principality.

A leading trio quickly detached, Pourchaire shines in the midfield.

The Uni-Virtuosi team driver Guanyu Zhou secured a significant victory for the driver championship standings after 30 laps. Even though he started from pole position, the Chinese driver was not worried. He did not steal this victory in sprint race 1.

If at one point the top three consisted of Zhou, Christian Lundgaard (Uni-Virtuosi) and Felipe Drugovich, the plot twist came from Lundgaard’s ART Grand Prix engine failure, forcing him to retire.

10th on the grid, Théo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix), the hero of Thursday’s qualifying, managed to get a good start and climb up to 7th place. Gaining 2 positions right after the lights went out, the driver from Grasse also fought throughout the race to secure the fastest lap point. However, he had to forget about that accolade to protect his 7th place.

Three abandonments in total

If the drivers are put through a tough test during these races between the rails, the ones paying the price are their single-seaters. Robert Shwartzman (Prema) was the first to meet the rail near Massenet, damaging his front wing and then forced to retire on the spot. Gianluca Petecof (Campos Racing) also saw the rail too closely in the esses of the Swimming Pool, requiring the Safety Car to come out 5 laps before the checkered flag.

Guanyu Zhou and Felipe Drugovich therefore provide a beautiful one-two finish for the Uni-Virtuosi team, ahead of Roy Nissany’s Dams.

Results Table