PREMA Racing’s Oliver Bearman claimed a crucial victory in the Formula 2 Sprint Race at the Lusail International Circuit, overcoming intense challenges in a race filled with drama and pivotal moments in the championship fight.
Race Start
Bearman lined up on pole alongside championship contender Isack Hadjar, with Gabriel Bortoleto starting eighth and aiming to climb the field. However, the grid was reduced to 21 cars as Pepe Martí’s Campos Racing machine was withdrawn before the start due to technical issues.
At the lights, Bearman held the lead into Turn 1, with Hadjar slotting into second. Victor Martins made a lightning start from seventh, jumping into third, while Bortoleto lost a position to Paul Aron, starting his uphill battle. Despite a spin for Rafael Villagomez, the field managed to avoid any significant incidents early on.
Hadjar, on the softer tyre compound, quickly applied pressure to Bearman and executed a clean move at Turn 10 on Lap 2 to take the lead. By Lap 4, the Campos driver had built a 3.4-second gap to Bearman, while Martins trailed in third.
Mid-Race Drama
On Lap 6, the race saw its first major interruption as Oliver Goethe’s MP Motorsport car erupted in smoke, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car. The restart on Lap 7 led to tense battles further down the field, with Jak Crawford almost colliding with Martins while challenging for third.
As the race progressed, drivers on the medium compound tyres, including Hadjar and Martins, began to struggle. By Lap 12, Bearman had closed the gap to Hadjar to just 1.1 seconds, setting up a thrilling battle for the lead.
Further back, Crawford finally passed Martins for third, and Richard Verschoor followed suit shortly after. Meanwhile, Bortoleto endured a trip into the gravel but recovered to rejoin the fight for points.
Closing Stages
With just three laps to go, Bearman made his move. The Ferrari Academy driver dove down the inside of Hadjar at Turn 1 to retake the lead. Moments later, Hadjar’s race unravelled as he spun, dropping him to fourth in a critical blow to his championship aspirations.
A late collision between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Kush Maini brought out the safety car, neutralising the race. With the field following behind the safety car, Bearman crossed the line to secure his third win of the season.
Championship Implications
Hadjar’s spin cost him valuable points, finishing fourth, while Bortoleto salvaged sixth. The championship battle remains razor-thin, with Bortoleto maintaining his lead by just two points over Hadjar heading into the final rounds.
Bearman’s victory adds momentum to his campaign, while Paul Aron and Jak Crawford also capitalised on the chaos to strengthen their positions in the standings.
As the Formula 2 season approaches its thrilling conclusion, all eyes are on the title fight, with the championship contenders set to clash again in Sunday’s Feature Race.
Image: FML
