Zane Maloney secured two-for-two race victories in the 2024 Bahrain F2 Weekend, driving from third to first in the Feature Race. Josep María Martí secured P2, while rookie Paul Aron rounded off his first F2 weekend on the third step of the podium.
Zane Maloney clinched his second win of the Bahrain F2 weekend in the Feature Race, marking a strong start to the 2024 Formula 2 season. He drove from third to first, followed closely by Josep María Martí, who secured the second spot on the podium. Paul Aron delivered an impressive performance to kick off his rookie season, surging from 12th on the grid to claim third for Hitech Pulse-Eight.
At Lights Out
Sprint Race winner Zane Maloney was quick off the line from P3 with a fast start on the Option tyre. He was leading the field by Turn 1, while behind him Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar tangled in the same corner, triggering a Safety Car. Bortoleto was given a 10-second penalty for the collision, giving him an even bigger headache for the rest of the race.
Racing resumed on Lap 5. Maloney extended his lead while Josep María Martí surged into contention, overtaking Dennis Hauger to sit third. Meanwhile, Jak Crawford and Martí, both on soft tyres like Maloney, were progressing towards the front of the grid. Crawford’s race came to an unfortunate end with a slow pit stop, forcing his retirement when he lost drive in the pitlane.
Victor Martins of ART Grand Prix was another retiree in the feature race, pulling over to the side of the track on lap 19. The stricken ART triggered another safety car. As racing resumed on lap 22, Maloney maintained his lead, while Martí and Paul Aron battled for position behind him.
The latter stages of the race saw Kush Maini and Bortoleto charging through the field, while Hauger struggled with tyre wear. Martí eventually overtook Zak O’Sullivan for P2, with rookie Aron also making his way past to secure a podium finish.
At The Chequered Flag
As the checkered flag waved, Maloney secured his second win of the weekend, dominating the race from start to finish. Martí finished second and Aron claimed an impressive third place. Bortoleto narrowly missed out on fourth in a battle with O’Sullivan. Colapinto reached the chequered flag in sixth ahead of Maini. Hauger, Miyata and Antonelli rounded out the points.
Maloney is looking ahead to the next challenge in Saudi Arabia;
“So happy to get the Sprint Race and the Feature Race victory this weekend. The team Rodin did an unbelievable job and I just had to drive the car as quick as I can. Thank you everyone for the support of course I know Jeddah is going to be another story so we will push on in Jeddah.”
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