Nikola Tsolov walked away from the Formula 2 Sprint Race victorious at the British Grand Prix weekend, after a thrilling last-lap overtake on Gabriele Mini.
The Bulgarian driver secured a pivotal victory early in the weekend to claim the event championship lead over Mini, with Rafael Villagomez rounding out the podium.
Heading into the Sprint race, the grid was set by reversing the top 10 from yesterday’s qualifying session. Thus, Championship leader Mini started from pole, with Ritomo Miyata alongside him.
Importantly, Mini’s championship rival, Tsolov, started the race from sixth, giving the Italian a prime opportunity to extend his Championship lead.
Lights out for F2
As the lights went out for the first time this weekend, it was Mini who had a stronger launch off the line. The Italian consolidated his lead immediately, as Miyata lost a multitude of places within the opening corners. Rafael Villagomez made his way into second, however, a fast start from Tsolov saw him immediately challenging the VAR driver. Despite starting sixth, the Red Bull junior moved his way into the podium places.
An awful start saw Miyata drop down to sixth at the end of the opening lap. Despite starting on the front row, the Japanese driver appeared to have no pace compared to his rivals around him.
The Safety Car was brought out following an incident between Sebastian Montoya and John Bennett. The TRIDENT and PREMA made contact in the gravel down the start/finish straight, with both drivers ironically attempting to avoid a collision on the road.
Following six laps behind the Safety Car, the track was cleared ahead of Lap 7.
As the Safety Car peeled into the pits, Mini was left to lead the pack away. On the restart, the Italian keeps his race lead heading into Turn 1, with no big changes made on the opening few corners.
However, Roman Bilinski and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak were locked in a battle for seventh place. The fighting between the pair allowed Bilinski’s DAMS team-mate to be invited to the battle. As the lap progressed, the ART driver defended strongly, keeping his place.
Tsolov made a brave move on Villagomez ahead for second place. The Bulgarian driver shaped a move against his Mexican rival, and after being late on the brakes, he found himself a place away from the lead.
Midfield battles heat up
As the laps ticked down, Martinius Stenshorne was awarded a 10-second penalty for an early race collision with Rafael Camara. The Rodin driver forced off his Brazilian rival, causing them both to lose places.
Miyata was under pressure once more in this race, the Japanese driver continuing his struggles for pace as he found himself in seventh on Lap 13. Behind him was the DAMS duo of Bilinski and Dino Beganovic, aiming to get past. However, as the battle continued, there was a DRS train behind, risking Miyata losing at least four places.
Bilinski cleared the Hitech driver on the exit of Stowe, setting his sights on Inthraphuvasak ahead. Miyata’s woes continued as Beganovic and Dunne were right on his tail, and inevitably sailed past before the end of Lap 14.
That same lap saw Tsolov break into the DRS zone of his championship rival, Mini. Ultimately, setting up for an enthralling final dash to the line. Just two laps later, the pair were nose to tail into Copse Corner.
The pair briefly went side-by-side at the end of the ap; however, Mini continued to defend against his rival behind. All while the leaders continue to battle, Villagonez was being brought into this fight, knowing if the pair trip over one another, the possibility of a victory was on the cards.
On Lap 17, Tsolov made yet another lunge for the lead; however, the Alpine junior kept him behind once more, defending brilliantly against his Red Bull counterpart.
The battle for the lead was costing both drivers time, as not only was Villagomez close behind, but Kush Maini began to lap faster than his rivals at the front of the pack.
Final three laps
As the laps started to tick down, drivers started to make frantic moves. Beganovic and Durksen were locked in an intense battle for sixth. As the pair headed into the penultimate corner, the Swedish driver sailed past.
Stenshorne was spun around by Nicola Varrone, and then spun the correct way by Colton Herta, momentarily bringing out the yellow flags.
On the penultimate lap, Tsolov dived down the inside of Mini, however, he once again defended his position, keeping the Bulgarian behind once more.,
But Mini’s luck appeared to run out on the final lap of the race, as he experienced a massive lock-up into Turn 1. This allowed Tsolov to gain crucial time and use his tyres against the race leader to sail into the top spot of the podium. Whilst Mini attempted to reclaim his place, the 19-year-old sailed a second clear of Mini.
But the Italian was immediately under pressure from behind, as Villagomez found himself a few tenths behind the MP Motorsport driver, but ultimately, Mini came home to secure second and keep Villagomez behind.
Tsolov’s victory ensured that the championship would be dead even heading into the longer Feature Race tomorrow.
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