Round 9 of the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship in France was a happy homecoming for the DAMS team, as their Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa scooped the big prize of Feature Race victory on Sunday.

Israeli Roy Nissany made it a home race to remember for the French squad by collecting a points finish, despite a five-second penalty, dropping him from on-the-road seventh to ninth in the classification.

A delighted Team Owner, Charles Pic, said: “This is the sort of race we dream of; we had great pace. Ayumu drove brilliantly and took a well-deserved victory.”

Victory in Le Castellet is Iwasa’s first at this level of racing and his first Feature Race podium.

Despite starting second on the grid, and pole-sitter Logan Sargeant making a poor getaway, the 20-year-old Japanese had to pass Jack Doohan, who had vaulted into the lead from fourth on the grid.

Iwasa made a strong move halfway around the opening lap to take the lead from the Australian and then flawlessly executed a Safety Car restart on Lap 5 before winning by a commanding 8.6 seconds.

Red Bull Junior Team driver Iwasa said: “I’m very happy for this result. I had a lot of confidence in the car and I could push throughout the race.”

Iwasa’s team mate Nissany drove a tidy race, although he picked up a five-second time penalty for going off track and gaining a lasting advantage.

The 27-year-old was undeterred and fought his way into the points, collecting two points for his efforts, making up eleven positions from where he started.

“We had good pace this weekend. The car was really good, it wasn’t easy but I had a brilliant start to gain nine positions on the first lap,” said Nissany after the race.

Iwasa’s win is the first for DAMS since Marcus Armstrong’s triumph in Sprint Race 1 at Jeddah in December 2021 and moves the team to 90-points in the Teams’ Standings, where they sit in sixth position.

Image Credit: Red Bull Media House