Formula 2 returned this weekend for a brand new circuit on the F2 2023 Circuit Calendar in Melbourne, Australia. Dennis Hauger made history becoming the first person to win at this circuit as he led from from lights to flag amongst all the chaos of weather and safety cars.
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With the move from Prema to MP Motorsport this year, eyes are on Dennis Hauger to help MP Motorsport win a second constructors title. Starting from the reverse gird after a chaotic qualifying for the drivers, Hauger was able to remain cool throughout the 22 laps even with inconsistent weather and a two lap to flag sprint.
AT LIGHTS OUT:
Before the race began the streets of Melbourne faced a downpour leaving the Albert Park Cricut slippery, but slowing drying track for these drivers who have never raced here before in their F2 and even F3 careers. Because of the track; 2 drivers didn’t even make it to the starting line with Enzo Fittipaldi and Bahrain Sprint Winner Ralph Boschung both spinning at Turn 8 on the reconnaissance lap.
Hauger at lights out was able to getaway quite quickly from the rest of the grid with fellow Red Bull junior driver Jak Crawford with the two drivers going side by side into turn 11 on the opening lap. Crawford yielded to Hauger which allowed him to stay holding onto the lead.
After achieving pole in Qualifying on Friday, DAMS driver Ayumu Iwasa’s race became undone early on. Fighting to hold off Zane Maloney and Isack Hadjar, the Japanese driver suffered a puncture and was forced to pit for fresh tyres, dropping him to the back of the order of the grid.
MID RACE BATTLES:
With Iwasa going down the grid, the boy from Barbados Zane Maloney was free to move up the grid to next highest driver Oliver Bearman. Making a move into turn 11 allowed the Trident driver to take P6. Further behind on the grid, DAMs driver Arthur Leclerc squirrelled his way through into the podium positions at Turn 10 on Lap 7, however Kush Maini wasn’t giving up his podium spot with a fight. Brave on the brakes, the Campos Racing driver got the switchback done, regaining the place in the next corner to the third step of the podium.
Because of this battle this allowed Maloney to take full advantage of the DRS train. Martins found himself stuck in the middle of a three-car pincer movement, with Bearman attempting to dive up the Alpine
junior’s outside and Maloney around the outside. Maloney was able to take 5th.
This battle brought Isack Hadjar and previous round’s feature race winner Vesti into content for higher points finishes. Hadjar was able to overtake Bearman, and Victor Martins to move up the grid followed by Vesti overtaking his Prema teammate of Bearman as well.
Early Finish for Jack Doohan’s home race:
Hometown favourite Jack Doohan’s race ended early have being tapped from behind by Juan Manuel Correa, this triggered the safety car to come out which came at the perfect time as rain was starting to fall and promoted drivers to switch to the wet tyres.
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With the grid driving behind the safety car an additional two laps of the safety car was added due to Brad Benavides outbraked himself into turn 13 which caused him to go into the barriers. Once the safety car was in it was a 2 lap race shoot out for top spots.
Hauger was able to nail his restart, getting a quick getaway like he did 20 laps prior at the start of the race, giving him his third win in the championship. Alongside him on the podium Crawford was able to take second and Maini taking third. Leclerc was able to maintain fourth even with going wide almost allowing Maloney to take his position but was able to hold it out with Maloney taking fifth, Hadjar sixth, Bearman 7th, Vesti 8th, Roy Nissany 9th and finishing the points Richard Verschoor in 10th.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Despite not racing today Ralph Boschung still remains on top of the standings, having 1 point advantage over Theo Pourchaire. Iwasa sits third, with Hauger moving to 4th with his win today on 30 points, one point ahead of Vesti.
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Tomorrow we are back to the feature race with Iwasa starting in pole position, will the unpredictably of weather play a role in this race as well?
Feature Image Courtesy of Joe Portlock- Formula 1/ Contributor