PREMA Racing scores win, double podium finish in spectacular race 1

PREMA Racing posted a stellar win and an equally outstanding double podium finish at Hungaroring in the feature race of the FIA Formula 2 Championship at the Magyar venue.

Following to a tough qualifying session, Robert Shwartzman claimed his second feature race victory of the year to further increase his championship lead. The 20-year-old Russian started from P11 but used a reverse strategy compared to his contenders, and did it to absolute perfection. After starting on medium tires, he stayed on track more time and managed the degradation exceptionally well. Then, on new soft tires, he vaulted to the lead and eased into the distance.

Eventually the soft-to-medium strategy didn’t prove the ideal one, with one notable exception: Mick Schumacher. The 20-year-old German delivered a phenomenal run to take the third step of the podium, the best among those who had opted for the same tactics.

With a memorable performance in the books, the Ferrari Driver Academy pairing is now set for an action-packed Sunday with the reversed top-8 grid.

#20
MICK SCHUMACHER

“I am very happy to be back on the podium here in Hungary. We knew that we had a car that could be at the front and it’s delightful that we were able to prove that on track. I had a great start and was even in the lead after the pit stops. But Robert and Nikita were on the faster strategy, so unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to keep them behind me. Tomorrow we will start the race from sixth place and we want to follow up directly and show the quality of our package once again.”

Qualifying: P5
Race 1: P3
Fastest lap: 1:51.584
Fastest lap: 1:32.192

#21
ROBERT SHWARTZMAN

“I’m super happy to have won with such a huge margin. Big thanks to the team for the strategy. We risked, but it was our decision because we knew that it would have been really hard to pass. We needed to do something different and it worked out great! I also want to thank SMP Racing and the Ferrari Driver Academy as well as my dad, of course. I hope there will be more thank you days like this! It was a bit of a strange race. The start was mega, one of my best and for sure the best in F2. Exiting turn 2 I was already in P6, which became P5 due to a retirement. After the safety-car, my goal was just to keep up with the tires, nice and steady. I wasn’t as fast as the others, but then they pitted and I could run alone on the track. I was suprised, and happy, that the others were on the same pace as me or slower. When I pitted, the team did a great job and despite a big lockup, the tires gripped really well. I passed everyone to P1 and I managed the degradation until the end.”

Qualifying: P11
Race 1: P1
Fastest lap: 1:52.715
Fastest lap: 1:32.559

Source | Photo: PREMA Racing