F2 Sprint Race – Abu Dhabi: Gabriel Bortoleto creates a monumental gap with Isack Hadjar
The sprint race of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of Formula 2 was won by Campos driver Josep Maria Marti but all eyes were on the battle for the 2024 Formula 2 championship, which is being decided this weekend, during the final round of the season. Gabriel Bortoleto did the job.
0.5 point, that was the lead Gabriel Bortoloeto had in the 2024 Formula 2 championship before the final round of the season over Isack Hadjar. Qualifying has so far favored the Brazilian driver from Invicta who secured second place, while Isack Hadjar posted the 4th best time.
In a tense context, for the last race of the season, the drivers started the sprint race with the aim of making an impression and taking the lead in the championship. In a sprint race, the top 10 is reversed. Isack Hadjar therefore started ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, but due to a poor start, he found himself sandwiched at the first corner, losing many positions and damaging his front wing in the process.
Overtaken by Bortoleto from the second turn, he remained in 9th position for a long time. The French driver struggled with his tires and was never able to overtake the rookie in front of him, Beganovic. Fortunately, he took advantage of several spins ahead of him and several penalties to eventually secure 6th place.
However, Gabriel Bortoleto on his side, starting from 8th position, managed to get a better start and make his tires work in a clean air environment allowing him to attack. From 8th place, the Brazilian moved up to 2nd position and thus steps onto the podium of this sprint race won by Pepe Marti.
Pepe sprinted away at the start and never looked back 🏃👀#F2 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/TZQ9QZrE8p
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 7, 2024
With this second place, Bortoleto creates a slightly more comfortable lead before the final race of the year in F2, with a 5.5 point advantage over Isack Hadjar. In the long race on Sunday, Bortoleto will start 2nd, Hadjar 4th. Everything could still be decided.
The ranking of the sprint race of the F2 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
A maiden win for Pepe Marti 🥳
Meanwhile, P2 for Gabriel Bortoleto extends his championship lead over Isack Hadjar to 5.5 points going into the season finale 📈🍿
P3 wasn’t enough for Paul Aron to keep his championship hopes going 😢#F2 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/vbs2ciw3d4
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 7, 2024
