Boya taking positives despite second crash in Australia

FIA Formula 2 rookie Mari Boya says he’s taking the positives from Saturday’s Sprint Race in Melbourne, despite crashing his PREMA for the second time this weekend.

The Spaniard started the race last after hitting the wall during Qualifying on Friday, and found the barriers again on Lap 10 whilst chasing team mate Sebastian Montoya.

“The positive thing today is that the start and procedures today were good. The speed was really good and we were much quicker than the cars around,” the Aston Martin Development Driver said.

? SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED ?
Mari Boya finds the wall at Turn 6.#F2 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/cB0qdCA1uZ
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 7, 2026

Crashing once during your debut weekend is never ideal, and a second is even more compromising when track time is so limited.

On both occasions, Boya lost control of his car in high-speed right hand corners, with the car oversteering before going into the gravel. Both accidents have caused significant damage to the car, meaning more work for the PREMA mechanics.

Boya said there is work to do to understand why the crashes are happening: “We need to find a bit more the feeling of when I can push or not, because what happened is similar to yesterday.

“We need to investigate it with the team but we have another race tomorrow and another chance to make our way up.”

He will also line up in 22nd place for Sunday’s Feature Race at Albert Park.

Montoya pleased, despite falling short of points

Boya’s team mate Sebastian Montoya was left ruing a costly error in Qualifying on Friday, when he was set to secure himself a top-10 grid position.

However, his mistake at Turn 12, the same corner where Boya crashed in Qualifying, saw the Colombian-American tumble down to 15th by the end of the session.

Boya brought out the red flags in Qualifying ??
He’ll be fighting forward from the back of the field in the Sprint Race and Feature Race at Melbourne ?#F2 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/pCWUifh7vI
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 6, 2026

But he said he felt the car had more performance and that he was out of position, relative to his pace.

And on Saturday, Montoya wasted no time in making progress, and was soon embroiled in a multi-car scrap for the minor points places.

As they all attempted to make their way through the fast chicane of Turns 9 and 10, Montoya found himself forced wide on the exit by Hitech’s Colton Herta.

It cost him both time and places, but the PREMA drive fought back to finish ninth.

“I’m really happy with the race and the speed. We were just unlucky with the track position, being pushed off early in the race and falling to last in the train. The pace was good though and we were able to overtake. I’m happy to continue with the race speed that we have,” he said.

Montoya said he will will work alongside his team to assess what changes to make for Sunday’s race, saying it was important to maximise the car and have a good race.

Image: Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images

InsideF2.com is your home for Formula 2

We are the world’s number one dedicated source for in-depth coverage and the latest updates on the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Our knowledgable team of motorsport enthusiasts brings you comprehensive interviews, opinions, race reports, breaking news, driver profiles, and insightful analysis with written journalism, media and podcasts. Whether you’re a Formula 1 fan looking to get to know F2 or a dedicated follower looking for up-to-date standings, a captivating podcast, the race calendar, or a deep understanding of Formula 2, Insidef2.com has you covered. With a passion for Formula 2, we aim to provide you with an unparalleled experience, keeping you informed about every thrilling moment on the track. Explore our website to stay connected with the world of Formula 2 and discover why Insidef2.com is your go-to destination for all things Formula 2 the final step towards F1.