The newest race winner in FIA Formula 2, Leonardo Fornaroli, says ending his four-year wait for a victory in single-seater racing is a “nice relief”.
The Italian driver took victory at Silverstone in the Sprint Race on Saturday, telling InsideF2 his Invicta Racing machine was “perfect”.
The reigning F3 champion hadn’t won a single-seater since 2021, when he was racing in the Italian F4 Championship at Misano.
“Finally we made it!” Fornaroli, 20, said. “It’s a Sprint Race, so I have to focus on tomorrow’s Feature Race which will be bit more tricky starting from 10th position.”
The victory moves him to second in Drivers’ Standings, 19 points adrift of leader Richard Verschoor, with the Italian saying he’s optimistic of his chances in the title fight moving forward.
Early attack secures popular win
Starting from reverse-grid pole position, Fornaroli initially lost the lead to DAMS Lucas Oil’s Kush Maini at the start as the Indian driver made a better launch.
But the Invicta driver faught back aggressively, surging into the lead after a switch-back pass exiting Luffield corner and charging into a lead he wouldn’t lose.
“The start was not amazing, but I remained very calm becuase I knew the first lap was long and there would be possibilities to pass him,” said Fornaroli.
Exiting The Loop (Turn 4), the Italian attacked his rival, attempting to pass on the outside into Turn 6, but the Indian driver resisted.
But Fornaroli refused to be denied, arcing wide through the entry to Luffield, before cutting underneath Maini to devastating effect, blasting past along the National Pits Straight and snatching the lead into Copse corner.
Fornaroli revealed to InsideF2 the mistake that was Maini’s downfall.
“He released the brake and a little bit wide, so there I was able to make the switchback and repass him.”
Once in the lead, the Italian built a cushion to his rivals, as Maini held them up with some aggressive defending.
Eventually, Sebastian Montoya broke through in his PREMA but Fornaroli was too far out of reach.
The race winner said he was very happy with the pace he showed during the 21-lap race, saying the car was an improvement on Friday.
“The car was perfect. Compared to yesterday I think we did a good step forward with the car and with my driving.
“It’s also nice to bounce back from yesterday’s disappointing qualifying and it also gives me confidence for tomorrow.”
While he said he would “adapt to the conditions”, Fornaroli said some rain might be helpful with the strategy from 10th on the grid.
IMAGE CREDIT – Photo by James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images
