In a thrilling F2 Monaco Feature race, Jak Crawford took victory after a massive first-corner pile-up eliminated almost half the grid.
After Kush Maini’s victory on Saturday, Alex Dunne started on pole position for the Sunday Monaco F2 Feature race that promised much unpredictability. Drivers would need to make a mandatory stop, with the pit lane opening on lap six.
Sebastien Montoya stalled on the grid in P5, his second in a week. Sat helpless in his cockpit, he was wheeled into the pits for a pitlane start. His afternoon would be one of frustration.
The race initially lasted a matter of seconds. Dunne got off the line slower than Victor Martins, and the Frenchman looked to have the lead going into Saint Devote. The two tangled, causing a chain reaction involving a multiple car pile up.
The race was immediately stopped, but several championship contenders had been eliminated. Dunne, Martins, Richard Verschoor, Pepi Marti were now all out. Those who navigated the melee were the big winners, including Arvid Lindblad and Leo Fornaroli. Ritomo Miyata, Dino Beganovic, Max Estersen, Gabriele Mini.
Seven drivers in total had been eliminated, resulting in higher stakes for those left in the race.
Second race start
The cars took to the grid in a revised order according to how they navigated the first corner. Race Control announced a rolling start and a 31-minute time limit. Fornaroli, Linblad and Jak Crawford all looked to be in the hotseat for the Monaco F2 feature race victory.
The Safety Car peeled off into the pits, and Fornaroli led Montoya, Linblad and Jak Crawford into Saint Devote. With no heroics, the race made it past Turn 1. The top four pulled away from Luke Browning, who seemed to be lacking pace.
The racing action lasted until Rascasse after Joshua Durksen collided with the barriers, bringing out the VSC. The Monaco marshals, masters of their craft, had the car cleared within seconds. With no Safety Car deployed, teams did not pit their drivers.
Once Durksen’s car was safely removed, the race got underway again, the top three still running nose to tail.
Oliver Goethe pitted first, rejoining at the back of the field, with Beganovic, John Bennett, and Sami Meguetounif pitting on the next laps. All hoped for no stoppages in the closing stages.
Those who pitted unlocked searing pace, and provided racing action. Bennett and Meguetounif both passed a struggling Cian Shields into the Nouvelle chicane.
Top three pit, VSC and red flag
Goethe’s strong pace threatened to eliminate the 35-second gap to the leaders. But the top three were offered a reprieve. Beganovic hit the barriers at Casino Square, ending his race.
The Safety Car was then deployed, bringing in the top drivers. Crawford, Kush Maini, Roman Stanek, Rafael Villagomez and Amaury Cordeel all peeled into the pits. But the top three missed the pits, and were now at risk of losing their positions.
Invicta, Prema and Campos pit crews battled hard, with Montoya losing position to Linblad. But Crawford jumped them all to move into the coveted P1 slot.
Barrier repairs then brought the race to an early conclusion following Beganovic crashing out. However, in one last moment of drama, Lindblad lost his third place due to speeding in the pitlane. Awarded a five-second penalty, he dropped to fifth. This gave Montoya an unlikely podium after starting from the pits.
Provisional Classification
- Jak Crawford
- Leonardo Fornaroli
- Sebastien Montoya
- Luke Browning
- Arvid Lindblad
- Kush Maini
- Roman Stanek
- Rafael Villagomez
- Oliver Goethe
- John Bennett
- Cian Shields
- Amaury Cordeel
- Sami Meguetounif
Not Classified
Dino Beganovic
Joshua Durksen
Alexander Dunne
Victor Martins
Richard Verschoor
Gabriele Mini
Ritomo Miyata
