Bruno Michel’s Debrief: The bittersweet taste of victory

12 July 2022

CEO Bruno Michel looks back on another dramatic weekend of Formula 2 action in Spielberg and picks out his key moments from what could be a title defining eighth round.

From a new title contender, the midfield’s strategy masterstroke and heart-breaking highs on the podium, Michel discusses all the events that kept fans entertained until the chequered flag and beyond…

SARGEANT ON THE CHARGE

Logan Sargeant was the top scorer from Round 8 at Spielberg, with 27 points taken, including a race win in the Feature Race. It is his second victory of the season, and his fourth podium finish. Of course, he did not cross the line in first position on Sunday, but in fourth. However, it is worth noting that he had started in P3, on wet weather tyres - a strategy that he quickly realised was wrong. He pitted early for slicks, and he re-joined in the midfield. He then worked his way back to the top and benefitted from penalties handed to Richard Verschoor, Jehan Daruvala and Roberto Merhi to collect the winner’s trophy.

With the 25 points earned, and two more from the Sprint Race, Sargeant has moved up to second in the Standings, one point ahead of Théo Pourchaire. The American driver has more than doubled his tally in the past three rounds, having amassed 77 points in Baku, Silverstone, and Spielberg, when he had scored 38 points in the first five rounds of 2022.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

The track conditions at the start of our Feature Race in Austria gave the drivers and the teams a bit of a headache. Was it too wet for slicks, or too dry for wets? Those at the front opted for the safest compounds (wets), whilst those further down the grid betted on slicks. It was a gamble that paid off ultimately with Richard Verschoor the first driver to start on the Primes from eighth on the grid. He later admitted that his team had made the decision for him, and he was unsure it was the right call until the formation lap.

At the flag, and before the penalties were applied, Verschoor crossed the line in first place ahead of Roberto Merhi who had started down in P21! Jehan Daruvala, who had started on P11, was third.

FROM ELATION TO FRUSTRATION

Just moments after taking the flag and the Feature Race win, Richard Verschoor pulled away on the cool lap, unable to make it to the parc fermé. On his way to the podium, he admitted that he could not truly enjoy the moment, with his thoughts solely focused on the reason why his car had stopped.

It was found that there was not enough fuel left as required by the Sporting Regulations. Verschoor was stripped from his win, handing it to Jehan Daruvala, but the Indian driver was under investigation for a starting procedure infringement. It was found that his team had attempted to dry the track surface at his grid slots ahead of the start of the race. Twenty seconds were added to his elapsed time, which dropped him to P12.

More heartbreak was served to Roberto Merhi whose amazing race from P21 to P2 at the flag was spoiled with a 5s time penalty for track limits. When the dust settled, it was P3 for the Spaniard, a hard-earned podium for Campos Racing.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ROUND 8

Championship leader Felipe Drugovich experienced his second lowest weekend of the 2022 campaign, with only six points added to his tally. It’s also the first time the Brazilian failed to score in a Feature Race this season. He still enjoys a rather comfortable lead in the Standings, heading Sargeant by 39 points.

It was a positive weekend for rookie Olli Caldwell. The Briton, who has had a tricky season so far, claimed his maiden F2 points in fashion on Sunday. Last on the grid, he decided to start on the slick tyres. He drove flawlessly to eighth at the flag - later promoted to sixth.

Finally, Enzo Fittipaldi claimed a third rostrum, with P2 in the Spielberg Feature Race. Of course, he inherited the silverware after post-race penalties had been applied, but it is worth highlighting the Brazilian’s driving skills from P12 on the grid. His good results take him to fifth in the Standings, five points behind Jehan Daruvala.

TEAMS’ TITLE CHASE

MP Motorsport remain top of the Teams Championship, but Carlin have not only passed ART Grand Prix to move up to second, but they have also reduced MP’s points advantage to just one. ART are now third, but just six points cover the top 3.

In fourth and fifth respectively, PREMA Racing and Hitech Grand Prix keep the title battle in their sight, with just 40 points between MP and Hitech. We still have a long season ahead of us…