R06 – Sochi – FIA Formula 2 Race Preview
It will be the busiest event of the year for PREMA Racing at Sochi. The Italian squad lines up for a double FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championship event, featuring six races in total and a massive amount of work at the unique Russian venue. The FIA F2 operation is set for round six of a long, long 2021 season which will culminate in the Abu Dhabi finale in December.
So far so good for the team. Drivers Oscar Piastri and Robert Shwartzman are both in the hunt for the championship, although within close competition. The 20-year-old Aussie is coming from an outstanding weekend at Monza with one feature race win and two points finishes. This time though, circumstances will vary. Not only Sochi has a very different character than Monza, but a certain amount of court advantage could definitely come into play.
Not only 22-year-old Russian Shwartzman will race at his home track for the third time, but he had a great run at Sochi in the past having clinched the 2019 FIA F3 title there. Both ways, there is great momentum, and all the team is committed to a hard-working and hopefully rewarding weekend. With a track layout that provided plenty of twists and turns in the past and two reverse-grid races, there will be many variables to take into account and maximize, not last the weather.
Rene Rosin – Team Principal
“With the championship being so close, every little detail counts, so we will need to make the most out of what we have at Monza, avoiding any mistakes and trying to be competitive from the very start. We are proud of what our two drivers have accomplished, and we will support them to the best of our capacity. Meanwhile, relying on such a brilliant combination, we are determined to make another good step in terms of the team classification.”
Weekend Timetable*
Friday, September 24th, 2021
10:05 – Free Practice
16:25 – Qualifying
Saturday, September 25th, 2021
10:30 – Race 1
16:45 – Race 2
Sunday, September 26th, 2021
11:20 – Race 3
* All times local
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing