Alexander Smolyar dominated the Formula 2 feature race in Hungary converting pole position to a brilliant win, he was joined on the podium by Zane Maloney in P2 and Oliver Bearman in P3.
After covering off a challenge by Maloney into turn 1, Smolyar kept his lead off the grid and retained it throughout. The MP Motorsport driver remained unchallenged for the whole 24 laps, and by the chequered flag was able to coast home to take victory as he had stretched a lead of over five and a half seconds from Maloney in P2. Saturday’s feature race win marks Smolyar’s third race win in Formula 3, this being his first in the 2022 season.
“It’s a big step considering last year, and MP didn’t have the results. Not even close to what we had this year. I’m really happy that in Qualifying it was really hot. We managed to find the right pressure and we took a really, really big step forward compared to last year.”
Alexander Smolyar speaking post-race
Zane Maloney got a great start off the line and looked to be taking the challenge to pole-sitter however Smolyar immediately covered off this challenge leaving Maloney to battle it out behind with Bearman for P2. The two drivers had a relatively quiet race focussed on managing their tyres on a drying track as Smolyar extended his lead ahead. However with nothing to lose in the final moments of the race, the two drivers had a drag race coming out of the final corner to cross the line. Maloney was able to hold onto his P2 by the slimmest of margins and celebrate his first podium in Formula 3 – the two were separated by just 0.025s.
“[This podium] means a lot. We’ve had a bit of a disaster of a year both me, and as a team, and we just need to keep trying to score those points from now on. We’ve had the pace all year so it’s a bit disappointing, but at least I can give them something this weekend and we can move on after the summer break and hopefully, those wins come.”
Zane Maloney speaking post-race
“I made a big step forward from yesterday, which was the main focus of today. I’m happy I could get two wet races in a row to get on top of the wet driving because it’s quite difficult and this wet tyre is quite different to any wet tyre I’ve driven before. So, quite happy with that and yeah it gives me good confidence for the rest of the season.”
Oliver Bearman speaking post-race
However the greatest stand out story of the race came from Zak O’Sullivan. The Williams academy driver started the race from P22 yet after making a gamble and pitting for slick tyres, he stormed his way through the field in such dominant fashion and crossed the line, quite incredibly, in P4. In the final lap alone the Brit was able to leave several drivers in the dust including Kush Maini, Arthur Leclerc and Jak Crawford.
How the championships stand
Sunday’s feature race saw plenty of change up and down the drivers’ championship. Starting at the top, Isack Hadjar and Victor Martins are now level 1st on 104 points, as are Jak Crawford and Oliver Bearman in their battle for P4 – Bearman moved up the standings demoting Roman Stanek to P6. Further down Alexander Smolyar’s win saw him gain two places up to P7, whilst Franco Colapinto dropped down two to P9 thigh is just one point behind Caio Collet. Zane Maloney has also gained a position and is now in the top 10.
The constructors’ championship has had very little change. Smolyar’s win for MP Motorsport has helped them up a place in the standings, they are currently P3 having demoted Hitech Grand Prix to P4. Maloney’s P2 for Trident has also drawn them closer to Hitech with the two separated by just 2 points.
Feature image: © Formula Motorsport Limited
To catch up on Smolyar’s F3 pole in qualifying click here, and for Collet’s sprint race win, click here.