Leclerc caps outstanding Race 2 recovery with P2 in Bahrain
Arthur Leclerc delivered a masterclass performance today in Bahrain, home to the opening race of the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship. The PREMA Racing Monegasque went from P14 at the start to P2 at the end of Race 2, in a perfect recovery after some qualifying woes.
Leclerc, who now sits second in the driver championship, had a clean race and maximized all the chances he had while taking care of the tires to finish not far off the eventual winner.
Fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Ollie Bearman had an eventful race. The British rookie had a difficult opening lap in traffic, losing a few places. Once back in normal racing conditions, he showed great pace again, bringing home valuable points.
Starting from P21 again, Jak Crawford pulled a massive recovery again, going from P21 to P7. The Red Bull Junior American survived early contact to gain positions as the race progressed showing outstanding pace and racecraft.
#4 ARTHUR LECLERC
“So happy about the result today. I think we did a really good job, and I think it’s the maximum we could do. I really pushed for that podium when I saw that it was possible. I tried to manage the tyres in the middle of the race when I was a bit alone, and that paid dividends at the end. We showed great pace and now it’s all about putting it together in qualifying as small details can have a huge impact.”
Qualifying: P14
Starting position Race 1: P13
Starting position Race 2: P13
Fastest lap: 1:46.961
Race 1: P5
Race 2: P2
#5 JAK CRAWFORD
“It was a good race, hectic at the beginning. There were a lot of people with punctures and broken front wings. I managed to make a lot of places up at the start, and then I fought for what at the time was P7 or P8. I got hit from behind, and after that, I struggled with the tyres because I had a massive slide. However, I was able to pass a bunch of people and get back to P7, so I’m happy with that.”
Qualifying: P21
Starting position Race 1: P20
Starting position Race 2: P20
Fastest lap: 1’47″371
Race 1: P27
Race 2: P7
#6 OLIVER BEARMAN
“Overall, it was a good race, and I’m quite happy to finish in P6 considering where I was after lap 3. I didn’t get the best of starts, I didn’t put myself in the best places in the opening laps, and it’s something we need to work on. The pace was really strong. Overall, I’m happy with my first weekend in F3, we have to hold onto the positives.”
Qualifying: P11
Starting position Race 1: P2
Starting position Race 2: P11
Fastest lap: 1’46″843
Race 1: P2
Race 2: P6
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing