Bruno’s take – Round 2

Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel looks back at an eventful second round of the 2020 season and picks out his key topics from Round 2 in Spielberg. He discusses the rookies who have enjoyed early success, the exciting wet Feature Race, and the title battle.

FOUR IN FOUR

Going into this new season, we knew the level of the field was extremely high. So, we were expecting a great show and some hard-fought battles for the title. We have already been proven right with four different race winners from four different teams in the first four races of the year. We also note nine different podium finishers and a total of fifteen drivers who have already scored points.

THE YEAR OF THE ROOKIES?

Out of those four race winners so far, three of them are rookies, with Robert Shwartzman and Christian Lundgaard topping the Drivers’ Championship. Six of them currently stand in the Top 10. When asked if this could be the year of the rookies in the press conference, Lundgaard and Dan Ticktum did not hesitate to confirm that they are not intimidated by the challenge. I have always said that if a rookie is strong enough, experience does not really matter. That’s what we’ve seen so far this season: they are providing us with superb on-track battles and they are scoring big points. Having said that, we know we also have strong repeaters too. I cannot wait to see who will come out on top!

ONE FOR THE AGES

The weather and track conditions on Saturday were very dire and it is true that no one was sure if we could race that day. We all had to wait in the pitlane eagerly looking at the screens for positive news from the Race Direction. The uncertainty eventually let room for one of the most amazing races we’ve ever had in F2. Race Direction done a wonderful job that day, going for multiple formation laps, to red flagging the session, and then starting it behind the Safety Car at the most opportune time to allow the drivers to race in the best conditions. They made all the right calls.

THE TITLE RACE IS ON

After two rounds, no one is pulling away in the Standings. In the Drivers’ Championship, 14 points cover the Top 5 whilst 15 points cover the Top 3 in the Teams’ Championship. Needless to say, that at this point we cannot predict who will claim the crown and that is very exciting!

POSITIVE RESULTS

As you know, we had some reliability issues during Round 1. We took action quickly and organised a shakedown prior to Round 2 to try and understand the problems. I am quite pleased to see that the reliability was back in the second race weekend which allowed for an even greater and fair show.