SPRINT RACE: Bennett makes final lap overtake on Montoya for maiden victory in Spielberg

John Bennett made a last lap overtake on Sebastián Montoya to seal his first Formula 2 victory in a dramatic Spielberg Sprint Race.

The TRIDENT driver ran behind Montoya for much of the race and bided his time before pulling of a superb switchback overtake to take the lead on the final lap, with the PREMA Racing driver finishing in second. Rafael Villagómez followed them home in third for Van Amersfoort Racing.

AS IT HAPPENED

It was a great start from second for Bennett, who got ahead of Montoya on the run to Turn 1. But there was a multi-car collision behind them at Turn 3 after Rafael Câmara made light contact with the rear of Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak’s car, which sent him into a spin.

The ART Grand Prix driver also went into the path of Oliver Goethe, with Emerson Fittipaldi, and Dino Beganovic also left with nowhere to go.

Separately, Joshua Duerksen and Nikola Tsolov also collided at the same corner. Both drivers were able to continue on, as was Beganovic, who came into the pitlane to change his front wing.

With the track clear, racing resumed on Lap 4. Montoya was right on the back of Bennett, who was proving a tough driver to overtake.

Further behind, Câmara made a move to the inside of Gabriele Minì for P4 at Turn 3. This also allowed Alexander Dunne to also take a position from the championship leader at the corner exit.

Montoya was 0.2s behind Bennett on Lap 7, and looked to make a move through Turns 4, 5 and 6. But once again the Briton held on, although their fighting allowed Villagómez to close in.

The Colombian driver finally made his pressure count on the next lap. He went to the inside of his TRIDENT rival at Turn 4 to take the lead.

The top six drivers were all within DRS range on Lap 10, with Montoya leading Bennett, Villagómez, Câmara, Dunne and Minì.

Having fallen down the order, Tsolov’s charge through the field had begun, overtaking Colton Herta for P11 on the run down to Turn 4.

Out in front, Montoya was 0.8s ahead of Bennett, while Villagómez was a second and half back from the TRIDENT and out of DRS range.

Dunne had closed right in on the rear of Câmara by the start of Lap 17, before making a move to the inside at the popular Turn 4 to take fourth place.

The Virtual Safety Car was signalled on Lap 21, with Herta having pulled over to the side of the road at the exit of Turn 3.

Racing resumed on Lap 22 and Minì and Câmara went side-by-side through Turns 4 and 6. The MP driver won the battle, taking P5 from the Brazilian.

Bennett had briefly been out of DRS range of Montoya but had closed back in and on Lap 25, he was just 0.6s behind.

Behind them, Tsolov’s strong performance continued, as he rounded his Campos teammate, at Turn 4 to go up to P10.

Back at the front, Bennett was right on the back of Montoya heading into the final lap.

The PREMA driver went defensive at Turn 3 to keep the position, and despite his valiant defence at Turn 4, Bennett took the lead with a nice switchback move.

The TRIDENT driver then crossed the line to earn his maiden Formula 2 victory, with Montoya in P2 ahead of Villagómez.

Dunne finished in P4 ahead of Minì and Câmara, with Bilinski in seventh ahead of Kush Maini in eighth.

KEY QUOTE – John Bennett, TRIDENT

“It feels amazing. I want to enjoy every second of this. The goal coming into the race was to fight for the win. I think a good result has been a long time coming and feels so good to get.”

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Gabriele Minì continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship and moves to 90 points, with Nikola Tsolov 10 points behind in second place. Rafael Câmara is third on 73 points, ahead of Alexander Dunne on 72, with Noel León rounding out the top five with 54 points.

In the Teams’ Standings, Campos Racing continue to lead the way on 134 points, with Rodin Motorsport in second on 120. MP Motorsport are third with 102 points, ahead of Invicta Racing who have 94. DAMS Lucas Oil round out the top five with 67 points.

UP NEXT

Next on the agenda is Sunday’s Spielberg Feature Race which is set to start at 10:10 local time.