Bruno Michel’s Debrief: The title twist and turns keep on coming

3 August 2023

What a summer it’s been for the 2023 Formula 2 season! Six action-packed rounds have seen nine different winners, including three first-time victors, and the title pendulum swing back and forth between our leading contenders.

Reflecting on all the key talking points, CEO Bruno Michel casts his verdict on how the field have fared through their visits to Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Spielberg, Silverstone, Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps and how the stage is set for a fierce fight to the finish.

CHANGES AT THE TOP

From Round 6 in Monaco onwards, Frederik Vesti has been sitting at the top of the Drivers’ Standings after claiming pole position and the Feature Race win on the streets of Monte Carlo. But the Dane’s closest rival, Théo Pourchaire, kept Vesti in his sight. The Frenchman was 11 points behind the PREMA Racing driver at the start of five intense weeks, with four rounds of racing.

Since then, Pourchaire has pocketed four podiums and scored 69 points, whilst Vesti achieved another pole and another win. Whilst he added three podiums and 46 points to his tally, that was not enough to stay ahead of the ART Grand Prix man, who re-claimed the top of the Drivers’ Championship, now leading Vesti by 12 points.

The battle is just as intense between their teams ART and PREMA in the Teams’ Standings. The latter was on top, but ART were able to close the gap first, before overtaking PREMA in the final round before the summer break. The French team is now 30 points ahead of the Italian squad.

With it being so close in both standings, no one can afford a mistake. It will be a nail-biting fight till Yas Marina!

RECOVERY MODE

At the start of the 2023 season, people were expecting a few drivers and teams to fight at the top of the field, but for one reason or another, things did not click - starting with Jack Doohan and Invicta Virtuosi Racing. The Australian’s 2022 rookie campaign had seen him take three wins, three poles and six podiums.

Staying with Virtuosi for a second year, the goals were high. There was a glimpse of good things to come in the Jeddah Feature Race, but it’s only since Spielberg that Doohan has been consistently fighting at the front to move up to fourth in the Standings by the end of July. He is back in the title fight, 38 points behind Pourchaire.

It's also been a challenging season for Rodin Carlin who line up two promising drivers, with Enzo Fittipaldi and Zane Maloney. The latter had finished second in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship and was voted the FIA’s best rookie of 2022. Although he’s claimed three podiums this season so far, not everything has gelled and there is still room for improvement.

As for Fittipaldi, consistency has also been tricky, but he could feel that his first F2 win was to come. He had been on the wrong side of the Safety Car twice, until finally, in the Spa Sprint, a mature drive saw him cross the finish line first. The next day, he added another podium to his tally. With a total of 38 points scored across Round 11, Rodin Carlin rose to P3 in the Standings.

A SEASON OF FRUSTRATION

Sometimes, talent and expertise do not make for a smooth season… as is the case at DAMS and MP Motorsport.

The reigning champions have been hit with misfortunes throughout this campaign. Sure, they have claimed six podiums and two wins, but it is nowhere near what they hope for. They ended the month of July with two retirements and a disqualification. Dennis Hauger’s third place finish in the Spa Sprint means they remain fifth in the Championship, ahead of a charging Invicta Virtuosi Racing. They have three rounds to turn a new leaf and end the year on a high note.

As for DAMS, Ayumu Iwasa’s pace and skills took him to an impressive three wins so far, but a few mistakes here and there in the past four rounds meant that he’s lost ground over Pourchaire and Vesti. Meanwhile, he has to look in his rear view mirrors now to defend from a charging Doohan. The French squad has lost a position to Rodin Carlin in the Teams’ Standings, too. The final three rounds will be very intense.

ROOKIES REGULARITY AND RECORD

Since Barcelona, one rookie has been rising, or better said, he has managed to turn pace into results. Victor Martins has been quick from pre-season testing, enjoying his time behind the F2 wheel, but it took him five rounds to finish in the points consistently. Since Monte Carlo, he’s scored points in every single race, something only he has achieved. As it stands, his 2023 tally includes one win, three pole positions, seven podiums and six front row starts. It’s only logically that he is currently the top rookie, lying fifth in the Standings and in the mix for the title fight.

He's leading fellow debutants Oliver Bearman, Zane Maloney, Kush Maini and Jak Crawford, who have collectively claimed four wins, three pole positions and 12 podiums so far. Crawford, who has a win and four podiums to his name, is level on points with Arthur Leclerc and Isack Hadjar. Can they make it to the top before the season ends?