All Change at MP Motorsport
The Formula 2 MP Motorsport team said farewell to Japanese driver Nobuharu Matsushita last week and welcomed Frenchman, Giuliano Alesi, to the Dutch outfit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFbiJhQhw4b/?igshid=14mdbog04nnyc
The long-serving Formula 2 driver has departed ways with the feeder series for pastures new.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFbu94hotGr/?igshid=1ppohvovu4bfp
Joining ART for the 2015, 2016, 2017 seasons and taking a time-out in 2018 when he competed in the Super Formula series, Matsushita returned to Formula 2 in 2019, driving for Carlin.
The man from Japan switched to MP for the 2020 season.
Matsushita’s epic win in Barcelona this season, starting in P18 and finishing on the top step, will stay in the driver, and team’s memory for a long time to come.
“I have decided not to participate in the rest of the F2 Championship this season.”
”The victory in Barcelona that [I] won with MP is an unforgettable race.”
”Thank you very much!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcDTwih7i1/?igshid=gcrrgccjrca1
Alesi made the switch from the BWT team with immediate effect.
BREAKING: Giuliano Alesi moves to MP Motorsport!??
The French driver replaces Nobuharu Matsushita from Round 10#F2 #RoadToF1
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) September 22, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFhkJk1BwG1/?igshid=uqeeswrc15ll
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFg0frKBcrT/?igshid=17gvaz28tqakz
The team were in good spirits as Friday’s Practice session kicked off.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFjLNmiBEUq/?igshid=1ffwyd063kfis
New team, who dis?
Giuliano Alesi is in @mpmotorsport_ colours for the first time this season ?#RussianGP ?? #F2 pic.twitter.com/2yp2zMxibS
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) September 25, 2020
Friday Qualifying:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFj9JO0BpiH/?igshid=1f9sqk35wva3i
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFjuXFuhI6N/?igshid=8ovk40ngy4ej
Set your alarms!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkdN2FBzP7/?igshid=14zz0xqh0yeyj
Saturday’s Feature Race saw a great start to Alesi’s maiden voyage after gaining seven places in a frantic race.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFl8cUDBXVF/?igshid=koqg44jcq8nu
Sochi… The Sprint Race that never was…
The race couldn't be restarted after that big hit, so here are the results, with the final classification from lap 5! pic.twitter.com/K4DfSNSrjF
— MP Motorsport (@mpmotorsport_) September 27, 2020
Mixed fortunes:
?? After a good start today, one of my shift pedals on the steering wheel got stuck, which made me stay in 2nd gear for half of the first lap! Crazy stuff! We’ve got two months now to analize, rest and improve for the last ones! https://t.co/4jeqCRU4CG
— Felipe Drugovich (@FelipeDrugovich) September 27, 2020
During the red flag we got the message that Felipe received a 5-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage
— MP Motorsport (@mpmotorsport_) September 27, 2020
MP are currently seventh in the Teams’ Championship, with 121 points.
They’ll be looking to extract as many as they can as Formula 2 heads into the final two races of the season, in just over eight weeks time, at the Sakhir Circuit, Bahrain.
Let us know your thoughts @F2inside on Twitter and join our ever growing community of Formula 2 fans!
*Image Credit: Dutch Photo Agency