F2: Drugovich within touching distance of title after Zandvoort Feature Race victory

Felipe Drugovich took his fifth race win of the 2022 Formula 2 season, and now has one hand on the drivers’ championship. The MP Motorsport driver survived a chaotic Feature Race at Zandvoort to win ahead of Richard Verschoor, who claimed P2 on home soil. Ayumu Iwasa made an overcut strategy work to his advantage to beat Dennis Hauger to the final podium place.

The race was red-flagged early on after a crash for Carlin and Williams Academy man Logan Sargeant. The American was third heading into the first corner but a lock-up and run through the gravel left him down the order and he crashed at Turn 7 after further contact on the opening lap. The barrier repairs were carried out, but the drama was far from over.

Jack Doohan had been Drugovich’s closest challenger for the victory, and following the pit stop phase, the Virtuosi Racing man was just a second behind the MP Motorsport driver. A Safety Car to recover team mate Marino Sato, who had crashed at Turn 2 following his pit stop due to a loose front-left wheel changed the face of the race entirely.

Yet-to-stop Liam Lawson opted to launch as late as possible down the main straight. Those behind were caught out and contact between Verschoor and Doohan put the Virtuosi man out of the race.

From the subsequent restart, Drugovich was in total control and won to extend his title advantage to 70 points with four races to go. Theo Pourchaire recovered from his P16 grid position rescue a point with a late charge through the field.

A last-lap pass on Jehan Daruvala gave the ART Grand Prix driver a solitary point to add to his tally.

The 2022 F2 Championship continues at Monza on September 9-11.

For the full report and more, head to the official FIA Formula 2 website.