Joshua Düerksen returned the top step of the podium after an interrupted Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps.

It’s the Paraguayan’s sixth victory in F2 and his second of the year, after he won the opening Sprint Race in Australia.

Starting outside the top three, Düerksen claimed the lead by lap 10 and managed to keep his cool during two safety cars to take the victory for himself and Invicta Racing.

Durk likes ?@JoshuaDuerksen1 returned to the top step with victory in the Spa Sprint Race ??#F2 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/NMe9woyXF3

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 18, 2026

He beat Rodin’s Martinius Stenshorne, who’d led the first half of the race, and Dino Beganovic to the win.

Championship leader, Nikola Tsolov was fourth, ahead of title rivals Alex Dunne and Rafa Camara, while second in the standings, Gabriele Mini, retired from the race, having been running outside the points.

Bringing home points from the Spa Sprint Race ??#F2 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/OSexBt5e8i

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 18, 2026

How Düerksen made the most of his opportunity

Sebastian Montoya started the race on the sprint pole, and lead the first lap, but was soon overtaken by Martinius Stenshorne, around the outside into turn five.

Championshp leader Tsolov, started the race in seventh and made his way up fairly quickly to fifth place.

As they hit lap five, Stenshorne has open around a one and a half second gap to second-place Montoya, putting himself under pressure from Düerksen.

Düerksen takes advantage and sweeps around the outside of turn seven and puts himself into second place, just before a safety car is thrown on lap six.

Cian Shields went into the barriers after battling with Ritomo Miyata, where he seems to be pushed wide and going into the gravel. This resulted in him being spun out and going backwards into the barriers.

The safety car was called in on lap seven, where Stenshorne went quite early on the restart, and they all remain well-behaved going into the first corner.

On lap nine, Montoya locked up going into turn one and Dino Beganovic is right there to take advantage, taking third place.

Tsolov was right behind this battle and tried to overtake Montoya after having a bad exit from turn seven, but had to back off dramatically after nearly making contact with him.

Düerksen had stayed with race leader Stenshorne and on Lap 12 Düerksen was within DRS of the leader and took the lead from the Norwegian with an easy pass into Les Combes.

Durk on the charge ?

The move that took @JoshuaDuerksen1 back to the top step on an F2 podium ?#F2 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/GxaqtoQ4u3

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 18, 2026

On Lap 14, Trident’s John Bennett had a huge spin on Blanchimont, with other cars merely missing him, causing a yellow flag and an eventual safety car.

The safety car ended on lap 17, leaving a one-lap shootout, much to the delight of all fans.

Düerksen caught Stenshorne napping at the Bus Stop to pull a safe advantage to keep the lead, while Tsolov made a huge move on Montoya into turn one, which eventually resulted in Montoya finishing the race outside the points in ninth.

The feature race starts at 09:00 am UK time, set those alarms, it’s not one to be missed.

VAMOSSS!!! ?? @joshuaduerksen wins the F2 Sprint in Belgium ??? pic.twitter.com/0SgU82s6sy

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 18, 2026

Image Credit – Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty