F2-C2: Matsushita inherits victory in Spain

Nicholas latifi (DAMS) had the second race of the Barcelona weekend in hand in F2, and seemed capable of achieving his first victory in the category.

The Canadian, resident of the fold Renault Sport F1 Team, had completed the first lap in the lead after taking advantage of the catastrophic start of Artem Markelov (Russian Time), ninth at the first corner after starting on pole under the reverse grid rule.

Latifi had maintained his advantage without trembling before the intervention of the safety car, following the collision between Nyck De Vries (Rapax) and Antonio Fuoco (Prema Racing). With a perfect recovery against Gustav Malja (Racing Engineering), Latifi widened the gap and consolidated his dominant position.

But with four laps remaining, a missed braking point and an off-road excursion at turn 5 caused him to lose the lead against Nobuharu Matsushita (ART Grand Prix), then moved up to second position.

Passed after his return to the track by his teammate Oliver Rowland, Latifi failed to take the checkered flag in third position, the two drivers however securing a double podium for DAMS. Charles Leclerc (Prema Racing), winner in race 1, finished in fourth place, after being stuck behind for a long time Alexander albon (ART Grand Prix).

Jordan King (MP Motorsport) finished fifth, taking advantage of the tire degradation at the end of the race for Gustav Malja (Racing Engineering), who was 3rd for a long time and finally 6th. Luca Ghiotto (Russian Time) finished seventh ahead of Albon, Artem Markelov (Russian Time) and Johnny Cecotto (Rapax). Norman Nato (Pertamina Arden) finished 13th in the race.

Race 2 ranking

Find the full report of the Barcelona round in FIA F2, in AUTO issue 2114hebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.