Hamilton, Rosberg, Maloney… these drivers who had a perfect weekend in F2 / GP2

10. This is the number of pilots who successfully completed the “back to back” in the antechamber of the F1 (GP2 from 2005 to 2016, then F2 from 2017 to now) by winning every race over a weekend. A very difficult feat, often synonymous with great talent among the pilots who have managed to achieve one.

Nico Rosberg, Bahrain, 2005

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For the start of the GP2 era in 2005, after that of the F3000, a young German with a good name in the Formula 1 paddocks stands out. This young person is Nico Rosberg. For the twelfth and final round of the season in Bahrain, the son of Keke is fighting for the title with Heikki Kovalainen. Arriving in the Middle East, he is five points ahead of his rival. And the weekend starts perfectly for the future F1 world champion who takes pole position with almost 7 tenths ahead of the Finn, second.

On Saturday, Nico Rosberg secured victory in the main race, with his helmet and shoulders, before winning the next day, starting from 8th position during the sprint. Thanks to his two mature successes, the ART driver is crowned GP2 world champion. In 2006, he made his first full season of Formula 1 with Williams.

Lewis Hamilton, Nürburgring and Silverstone, 2006

The following year, Nico Rosberg's former best friend, then best enemy, Lewis Hamilton, makes his entry into GP2. And, the Englishman will do better than the German, also with ART Grand Prix. Thus, the seven-time F1 world champion had not one, but two perfect weekends.

The first takes place from the third round of the year which takes place at the Nürburgring. Second in qualifying, Lewis Hamilton scored his first victory of the season in the main race, almost 20 seconds ahead of his teammate Alexandre Prémat. For the sprint, again, this time in front of another Frenchman, Nicolas lapierre.

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Three rounds later, destination the United Kingdom. At home in Silverstone, the eight-time GP winner in Formula 1, had an (almost) perfect weekend aboard his Formula 2: two victories, two fastest laps, only pole position escaping him. With his new successes, the Briton beat his championship a little more, which he won at the end of the season ahead of Nelson Piquet Jr. and Alexandre Premat.

Nelson Piquet Jr., Hungaroring, 2006

Exactly, let’s talk about “Nelsinho” Piquet. In 2006, he signed THE perfect weekend in Hungary. Simply flawless. Pole position, victories in the feature race and in the sprint, with the best lap in both races. Just that. Unfortunately for him, at the end of the season, the title went to Lewis Hamilton. And his time in Formula 1 will be remembered more for the crashgate than for his performances.

Giorgio Pantano, Monza, 2006

Clearly, 2006 was the year of doubles. Third and last this year to have achieved one, we find Giorgio Pantano. For his fifth season in the antechamber of F1 and after 14 GPs in the premier category in 2004 with Jordan, the Italian also managed to have a perfect weekend.

At Monza, in front of the fans, he climbed to the top of the podium in the main race, after starting second. In the sprint, he won again, by a very short head in front of Lewis Hamilton (+0.411 seconds). Finally, thanks to his experience gained from his seven seasons in the antechamber of F1, Giorgio Pantano won the GP2 title in 2008 at the age of 29.

Nico Hülkenberg, Nürburgring, 2009

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And here is the second German on this list. There was a time when Nico Hulkenberg won and stood on podiums. In 2009, the ART driver scored six successes, including two at home at the Nürburgring. For the fifth round, he first achieved pole position, before winning the main race, then the sprint. At the end of the season, the rookie was logically crowned world champion and was recruited for 2010 by Williams.

Davide Valsecchi, Bahrain, 2012

In 2012, Davide Valsecchi began his fifth GP2 season. Having not done better than 9th overall so far, the Italian is aiming for the title because of his experience. After a second place for the season opener in Malaysia, he arrived conquering in Bahrain. Summary: a perfect weekend. Two victories ahead of Luiz Razia in the main race and Esteban Gutiérrez in the sprint. 

Davide Valsecchi was even close to the double double that year. During the third round, again taking place in Bahrain, he won the main race, but finished in a somewhat frustrating third place during the sprint. At the end of the season, he was crowned world champion. In 2013, he became a reserve driver at Lotus, and did not compete in any Grand Prix.

Antonio Giovinazzi, Baku, 2016

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For the 2016 European Grand Prix, Antonio Giovinazzi is in great shape. Second at the end of the season behind the champion Pierre Gasly, the Italian, unlike the French, had a perfect weekend. In Baku, the Prema driver took pole position then won both races ahead of Sergey Sirotkin in the main and Pierre Gasly in the sprint. The following season, he competed in two Grand Prix with Sauber.

Felipe Drugovich, Barcelona, ​​2022

With three seasons of F2 under his belt, Felipe Drugovich is aiming, more than ever, for the title in 2022. In his duel against Theo Pourchaire, the Brazilian takes the upper hand in Barcelona for the fourth round. Starting from the second row, he made a small comeback to collect the winner's trophy of the sprint race on Saturday.

The next day, the comeback was even more spectacular, as he climbed to the highest step of the podium after starting from tenth place. Two successes and a big blow for Théo Pourchaire. At the end of the season, he won the F2 title ahead of the Frenchman, who in turn won in 2023.

Oliver Bearman, Baku, 2023

Rookie in 2023, Oliver Bearman has the label of a very talented young person when he arrives in F2. Poleman on Friday in Baku, he confirmed on Saturday, then on Sunday, with two victories and a perfect weekend to boot. Lacking consistency throughout the season, he finished sixth in the championship despite a certain burst of speed and a few bursts of brilliance.

Zane Maloney, Bahrain, 2024

From this list, Zane Maloney is the only one to have achieved a “back to back” in F2 from the first round of a season. And it's all to the credit of the Barbadian, who impressed everyone in the face of an extremely tough field and after a mixed first season in 2023.

Eighth at the start of the sprint race, he knew how to manage his tires perfectly to climb to first place and keep it until the checkered flag. On Sunday, after a great start, he took the lead from the first corner. Never worried, he won the main race. Will he continue this momentum in F2? Response in Jeddah from March 7 to 9.

The perfect start for @zane_maloney 👌

He claimed the Feature Race victory to go along with his Sprint Race win yesterday 👏#BahrainGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/6g9ugOdMmi

- Formula 2 (@ Formula2) March 2, 2024

Kelman Marti

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