Double DNF for PREMA Racing in Race 2 at Red Bull Ring
Race 2 of the FIA Formula 2 Championship at Red Bull Ring did not turn out well for PREMA Racing. After the stunning race 1 win grabbed by Robert Shwartzman yesterday, both the team’s cars had to retire from the sprint race.
The Russian spun in turn 1 and stopped with the engine off, so despite the lack of damage, he didn’t have any chance to restart. It must be noted that it was not only matter of a driver error, as a small pre-race setting issue contributed to the outcome of the incident.
Schumacher was off to a great start and joined the leading pack in P4, before muscling his way to third place and a potential podium. Unfortunately, his race didn’t last much longer. His fire extinguisher suddenly activated due to tire debris hitting the switch, so he had no other choice than coming back to the pits to retire.
With Shwartzman still at the top of the driver championship, PREMA Racing now heads into the next round of the series, starting in just a few days at Hungaroring.
#20 MICK SCHUMACHER
“The story of the race is quickly told: I had a great start and a good pace when, running in third place, the fire extinguisher in my car started and ended my race. It’s a pity because a podium would certainly have been realistic. But even if it’s hard, we’ll have to forget this quickly and concentrate on Budapest from now on. If our car works as well there as it does here at the Red Bull Ring, we’ll be a strong contender in Hungary, too.”
Qualifying: P9
Race 1: P4
Race 2: DNF
Fastest lap: 1:15.141
Fastest lap: 1:28.595
Fastest lap: 1:17.181
#21 ROBERT SHWARTZMAN
“It has been a sad day. I’m very sorry for the team because I could have taken good points for sure. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass turn one as I made a mistake, I probably went on the throttle with the tires still a bit too cold. It just snapped in an instant. I tried to activate the clutch but it was too late. From a very good day yesterday to a very bad day today, it’s something to learn from. It shows that nothing is easy, you just have to keep working and learning while trying not to make mistakes. Otherwise, the pace throughout the weekend was great, and I thank the team for that.”
Qualifying: P6
Race 1: P1
Race 2: DNF
Fastest lap: 1:14.978
Fastest lap: 1:27.472
Fastest lap: –
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing