PREMA scores win, third place in Jeddah Race 2

Championship leader Oscar Piastri secured his fourth FIA Formula 2 win of the year today at Jeddah Corniche Circuit for PREMA Racing. After finishing 8th in race 1, improving from the tenth position he held at the start, the Australian delivered an absolutely flawless performance in race 2. Starting from P3, he quickly gained one position and then patiently waited for an opportunity to arise, which eventually happened. Piastri stormed into the lead with a bold attack in turn one. Then, the Alpine Academy driver set the fastest lap of the day to bring home two bonus points before a safety car situation brought the race to its conclusion. 

Robert Shwartzman put together a brilliant day as well. The Ferrari Driver Academy Russian fought back from P9 to the top-5 in race 1 and continued with a hard-fought run in race 2. Masterful moves and a couple of penalties eventually directed him to third place.

He now holds second place in points, trailing his teammate, while PREMA Racing increased its advantage in the team championship. Piastri and Shwartzman will share the front row in tomorrow’s feature race.

“In race 1 we scored P5 among a lot of fighting and action as this is a very fun track to drive and race. It was quite hard, but overall I’m happy: we had an extremely good pace and also took the fastest lap. In race 2, the pace was strong again. I tried my best to get through Viscaal, but he was defending very well and was also pretty aggressive, so I didn’t want to take the risk. In addition, I knew that the car in front had a five-second penalty. I stayed calm and tried to get an opportunity to pass, but he was always in Lungaard’s DRS and that turned out to be really difficult. Overall, I’m pretty happy, but obviously, the focus is on the main race tomorrow. The goal will be to get a good start and a good opening lap, not make mistakes and gain the lead. From there, full attack, look forward, and pick up the pace, which we have. We must put everything together to hopefully get to the top step of the podium.”

 

 

Qualifying: P2

Starting Grid Race 1: P9

Starting Grid Race 2: P6

Fastest Lap: 1:41.043

Race 1: P5

Race 2: P3

“After scoring P8 in a very eventful race 1, and finishing in one piece with a good starting position for the second race, we managed to take both the win and the fastest lap. Starting in P3, I got past Viscaal at turn 2, and then, after that, I tried to pass Daruvala. He was really quick at the beginning until he locked up at a re-start. I knew his tyres were going to be pretty wrecked after that. I waited, knowing he had a five-second penalty, because I still wanted to pass him on track, as I knew I was quicker, and two points for the fastest lap would have been nice. Eventually, I made it and took P1 and the bonus points.”

 

Qualifing: P1

Starting Grid Race 1: P10

Starting Grid Race 2: P3

Fastest Lap: 1:40.878

Race 1: P8

Race 2: P1

Source | Photo: PREMA Racing