Formula 2 drivers are “just trying to survive” at the start of races, rather than focus on making gains, amid ongoing uncertainty over the new car’s clutch system.
A complex start procedure in the new-for-2018 F2 car led to a number of stalls across the opening pair of rounds, with several drivers also making slow getaways.
Motorsport Week understands that F2 introduced ECU tweaks and updated parts in a bid to combat the problem, following a test between Baku and Barcelona, though several drivers still expressed concerns privately over the situation, fearing a repeat.
Of the 19 drivers that lined up for Saturday’s Feature Race, only Nicholas Latifi stalled, though polesitting DAMS team-mate Alexander Albon had a slow getaway, as others had fluctuating starts.
George Russell went from fourth to second and later picked off Nyck de Vries to claim a second straight win, and expanded on the start issues.
“[The] focus [is on] trying to get off the line rather than [thinking about] a good start or a bad start,” he said.
“It’s quite a nerve-wracking time at the start, I’ve never really had [a situation] like that in my whole racing career, I have been thinking about how to make a good start, I’ve never really had the situation of not knowing whether I’m going to stall or not!
“But I do think F2 have developed the clutch slightly in a positive manner, but it’s still a long way to go yet. We will get there, and I think it will be very soon, but it’s not quite there now.”
Third-placed finisher Lando Norris echoed Russell’s sentiments.
“It is nerve-wracking as a driver, especially if you’ve got seven cars in front of you,” said Norris, who started from eighth.
“Especially here [at Barcelona] when there’s a bit less track, Latifi stalled in front of me and I had very little time to react.
“It’s not a nice thing, you’re not focusing on a good start you’re just trying to not crash, not stall and just trying to survive basically, not [focusing on] trying to have any performance gain over the others, just trying to survive.”
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