The two ART GP single-seaters lined up in the front row today, on the Sakhir circuit for the first Feature Race of the season. Pourchaire takes his first win of 2023, dominating the entire race. Yesterday's Sprint Race winner, Ralph Boschung, comes second, closing what was his best race weekend ever. Phenomenal comeback by Zane Maloney, who gets on the podium after recovering fifteen positions since the start.
Théo Pourchaire flies to victory
Pourchaire takes advantage of the chaos that has arisen behind him, immediately after the start, to gain an advantage. Undisturbed, the leader of the race held the first position for 13 laps, until he was forced to return to the pits to disengage the mandatory pit stop. After less than two laps he manages to pass Verschoor, regaining the place he had left to mount a new set of tires. The Sauber Driver Academy driver increases his distance with the group, lap after lap. Théo becomes the winner of the Sahkir Feature Race thanks to a final gap of 19.6 seconds!
Dream weekend for Boschung
Days to mark on the calendar, these, for Ralph Embankment, that after winning yesterday his first Sprint Race in Formula 2 after years of presence in the category, managed to take another podium finish. The number #25 of Campos Racing started from tenth place, but thanks to the confusion of the first lap he manages to climb into third position, behind his teammate Maini who is in second place after a perfect start. When the Safety Car returns, Maini and Boschung go wheel to wheel, but it is the more experienced Ralph who wins the duel. The Swiss became leader of the Grand Prix when Pourchaire pitted, which he did two laps later, finding himself again behind the Frenchman. So he comes second and gets back on the podium to enjoy the well-deserved bubbles.
Incredible performance performed by the boy from Barbados, Zane Maloney who managed to reach the top from the back of the grid. Already by the third lap, the Redbull Academy rider had gained 11 positions, sitting in a comfortable seventh place, but the hunger was too much to satisfy. He charges back after the pit stop and Maloney closes the overtaking first on his team mate. Fittipaldi and then thanks to the better traction, Jack Doohan passes. The number #3 of the Carlin passes Ollie Bearman on lap 28 and on the penultimate lap he closes the pass in the face of Maini, grabbing a more than recompensed, third place.
Drama in the first round
On the opening lap of the race, Frederik Vesti, tied in fifth position, has a contact with the Van Amersfoort Racing driver, Verschoor. Victor Martins tries to do everything possible to avoid the two pilots involved in the accident, but in doing so he in turn collides with Stanek's single-seater, sending him directly into the gravel. While the Safety Car takes to the track, to allow the car of Trident number #20 to be removed from the gravel, Vesti and Martins head towards the pits and after a few moments the withdrawal of both cars is announced.
Technical problems also for Dennis Hauger, who after two pit stops in which his race seemed to have come to an end, returns to the track until lap 24 of 32, but is forced to return to the pits for a third time: this time the retirement is official.
A race full of twists, but will the next one be the same? Jeddah get ready, la Formula 2 is coming.
