Verschoor calm winner of the Sprint, Pourchaire abandons

And the first winner of the season F2 his name is… Richard Verschoor. Second on the Sprint Race grid thanks to his 9^e time in qualifying this Friday, the Trident driver is launching his season in the best possible way.

In a very good position, the Dutchman quickly received a boost with the completely missed start of “poleman” Felipe Drugovich (MP Motorsport) who tumbled down the rankings. A godsend for Richard Verschoor who did not ask for so much to fight for victory.

Despite the good start to the race, the Trident representative had to negotiate a restart after the intervention of the Safety Car on the 3rd lap following the collision between Jake Hughes (VAR) and Marcus Armstrong (Hitech GP). A task carried out to perfection by the Batavian who held back Ralph Boschung (Campos) and Jehan Daruvala (Prema). Taking advantage of the fight between the last two cities, Richard Verschoor managed to widen the gap to take cover. At a very good pace, the native of Benschop then flew towards the finish line to offer himself his 2nd victory in F2 after the Sprint at Silverstone in 2021 but above all the first for Trident in F2, the last dating from the Malaysia 2016 with Lucas Ghiotto in GP2 Series.

RICHARD VERSCHOOR WINS!!!!! 🏆

A cool, calm and collected race by the Dutchman after a storming start 💪

And, it's Trident's first win too!!! 🤩#BahrainGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/B2QnlISCDT

- Formula 2 (@ Formula2) March 19, 2022

Author of a beautiful maneuver on Ralph Boschung after a long and intense battle, Jehan Daruval took 2nd place in this Sprint Race just ahead of Liam Lawson (Carlin) who was also able to get rid of the Swiss, 4th at the finish.

Pour the carpet

Well back in the peloton after starting from 9th position on the grid, Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix) saw his efforts reduced to nothing as the Safety Car returned to the pit lane on the 5th lap. Placed in 5th position and with hopes of a podium, the Tricolore was the victim of mechanical problems on its car which left him no choice but to retire after a very good start to the race.

LAP 7 / 23

Disaster end for Pourchaire as he is forced to retire the car 😔#BahrainGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/w94hpP7Jhr

- Formula 2 (@ Formula2) March 19, 2022

Second Frenchman entered in F2, Clément Novalak had a difficult first outing. Although he once claimed a Top 10 finish, the MP Motorsport driver lost everything on the 15th lap of the race. In the fight with Dennis Hauger (Prema), the Frenchman lost control of his car and speared Jake Hughes in front of him. Forced to return to the pits for a front wing change, he finished 18th after a 10-second penalty.

Still on the French side but among the teams this time, DAMS finished this Sprint with a smile thanks to the incredible comeback of Ayumu Iwasa. Last on the grid after his mistake in qualifying the day before, the Japanese went from 22nd to 8th position in the space of 23 laps, thus winning the last point at stake in this first race of the season.