F2: Doohan wins ultimate race as Pourchaire seals title

F1 Grand Prix, GP Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit

Virtuosi driver Jack Doohan claimed victory in the year-closing Aspect F2 race as Artwork Grand Prix racer Theo Pourchaire completed only P5, but it was plenty of for the Frenchman to seal the Championship title.

Jack Doohan led the way at the start off of the race, making up a hole of one.3s from Kush Maini by Lap four. The title contenders Theo Pourchaire and Frederik Vesti rarely built any development in comparison to their lowly setting up positions.

A few laps later on, motorists started off to dive into the pits to execute their necessary tyre alter. Pourchaire and Ayumu Iwasa have been the to start with types to decide for an early tyre alter, switching to the Medium compound.

The upcoming lap noticed Oliver Bearman, Jack Crawford and Kush Maini occur into the box for a new established of mediums. Ferrari’s junior driver Bearman emerged just in advance of Pourchaire, but he was not able to fend off the assaults of the Frenchman on his chilly tyres.

Just a lap later on, Zane Maloney, Isack Hadjar and Dennis Hauger fed into the pits for their obligatory tyre swap with race chief Doohan determining to box on the upcoming lap.

On the new tyres, Pourchaire established the speediest lap of the race on Lap eleven. At the entrance, Victor Martins held a 28-next guide above Doohan, who rejoined the observe in P10 next his tyre alter.

DAMS driver Arthur Leclerc was also on an alternate tactic, getting started off the race on the yellow-banded rubber. The Monegasque observed himself in a promising P6 on Lap fifteen, but he was handed a 5-next penalty for leaving the observe and attaining an gain.

On Lap eighteen, Bearman encountered specialized challenges and was pressured to limp again into the pits. Nevertheless, he could not carry the automobile again to the quick lane and pulled off at the start off of the pits and the pit lane entry was shut as a consequence.

The pit lane was reopened two laps later on, but Vesti even now waited for his cease. The Dane driver eventually boxed on Lap 24 for new tyres, and rejoined the observe in P9, just at the rear of his championship rival Pourchaire.

A lap later on, Leclerc also pitted which noticed Doohan get back the guide of the race. In the meantime, Vesti and Pourchaire fought challenging on the observe with the Dane getting appreciated grip gain on his new tyres whilst the Frenchman getting been keen to continue to be in entrance of his rival.

Nevertheless, the Mercedes junior driver darted previous the Alfa Romeo junior driver on Lap 27. Vesti gave his all, and billed his way previous Iwasa a few laps later on.

On Lap thirty, the digital basic safety automobile was deployed soon after Joshua Mason parked up at the facet of the observe. The VSC was speedily withdrawn, and Leclerc ongoing his demand by way of the area on his new tyres.

Vesti tried 1 final overtaking manoeuvre on Maloney, but each ran deep into Switch nine, and built get in touch with. The Dane could go on, but the Barbadian driver spun about.

In the meantime, Doohan gained the race, three.eight seconds in advance of Martin whilst Vesti finished the podium. Iwasa arrived household fourth, in advance of Pourchaire, who claimed the title with his fifth-put end. Leclerc moved his way up the buy with some sensational late moves to end P6, adopted by Hauger and Hadjar with Maini and Crawford bringing up the rear of the prime 10.

Commenting on his sixth F2 victory, Doohan mentioned: “Great to end off my F2 marketing campaign with a gain. It was a challenging race in the conclusion, I do not assume that choice-key was excellent, but we built it do the job and have been capable to hold the tyres alive at a important phase in the race and carry household a gain.

“To indicator off like this with Invicta Virtuosi Racing, I could not be happier. Hunting ahead to the potential and significant kisses and hugs to all you F2 supporters and to all of these who’ve supported us the final two many years, I’m so, so grateful for it and I’m currently lacking you fellas.”

Pourchaire promises title

Théo Pourchaire is the 2023 FIA Formulation two Drivers’ Winner with 203 details. Frederik Vesti finishes up 192 details adrift in next soon after his substantial comeback work, whilst Jack Doohan’s victory lifts the Invicta Virtuosi Racing driver up to 3rd in the ultimate standings, ending up on 168 details.

Iwasa finishes his F2 occupation fourth over-all on one hundred sixty five, whilst Victor Martins’ P2 end leaves him as the maximum-put rookie, fifth in the Drivers’ Standings on one hundred fifty.

Artwork Grand Prix are Teams’ Champions for the to start with time in their F2 historical past, ending up with 353 details. PREMA Racing conclusion up on 322 details in next, with Rodin Carlin 3rd on 220 details.