First victory for Callum Ilott

The return to competition did not lack spice in Formula 2. Left on the second line, Callum Ilott (Uni-Virtuosi) achieved his first success in Formula 2, ahead of two other residents of the Ferrari Driver Academy, rookies Marcus Armstrong (ART Grand Prix) and Robert Shwartzman (Prema Racing), FIA champion F3 In title.

Ilott had a quiet end to the race, winning by more than eight seconds, but his ride was not smooth sailing, especially at the start of the event. Until the 26th lap, the Briton had to wage an interminable battle with his teammate Guanyu-Zhou (Uni-Virtuosi) and Mick Schumacher (Prema Racing).

But the Chinese's mechanical problem on the 26th lap, despite being dominant until then, and Schumacher's passage into the gravel a few laps later (the German finishing 11th) made his life easier.

The good operation of the day is to the credit of Marcus Armstrong (ART). Starting 13th, the New Zealander finished 2nd after a decisive strategy. Returning to the pits very early in the race on the 7th lap to put on the hard tires, the former FIA F3 driver managed to defend his place for more than ten laps despite incessant attacks from Robert Shwartzman.

Just behind, Christian Lundgaard (ART, 4th) worked in the same way to contain the enthusiasm of Daniel Ticktum (DAMS, 5th).

The surprise came from Giuliano Alesi (HWA Racelab). Using an offbeat strategy after starting on hard tires from 18th place, following brake problems in qualifying, the Frenchman finished in a good 6th place.

Alesi notably benefited from the appearance of the safety car on lap 29 following his teammate Artem Markelov’s exit from the track. 8th in race 1, Felipe Drugovich (MP Motorsport) will start from pole position under the reverse grid rule.