PREMA Racing, Piastri take third consecutive F2 pole at Sochi
Oscar Piastri put up another stellar showing today at Sochi. The 20-year-old Australian handed PREMA Racing pole position for Sunday’s main race at the Russian venue, his third consecutive FIA Formula 2 pole. The Alpine Academy racer dominated the second run of the session, setting an early lead and then laying down a blistering final lap to top his closest contender by almost two tenths of a second. With today’s result, he also increased his points lead by four markers.
Russian Robert Shwartzman fought at the front for the whole session, scoring P3 with his first set of tyres before slipping to P7 in an incredibly close finish featuring five drivers in the same tenth. Shwartzman will start the opening race of the weekend in P4, with Piastri relegated to P10 by the series’ reverse grid rules for Race 1.
#1 ROBERT SHWARTZMAN
“In the beginning, the car felt quite strong, but I could never put the lap together. I’m disappointed because I expected a much better result, and I feel we belonged to a higher position. Tomorrow we anticipate tough conditions, and I will do my absolute best to adapt. Hopefully we can still fight for podiums and wins.”
Qualifying: P7
Fastest Lap: 1:48.098
#2 OSCAR PIASTRI
“Third pole in a row, very happy with this one as it was probably my best run of the year so far. We struggled a bit in practice this morning, so it was nice to be back at the front again. With the first set we were already there or thereabouts, and with the second one, the car felt really good. I also felt I was driving very well. Big thank you to the team again, we are starting the weekend off with the right foot.”
Qualifing: P1
Fastest Lap: 1:47.465
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing