Nikola Tsolov came out on top of a nail-biting Formula 2 Sprint Race in Miami, fighting intensely with Laurens Van Hoepen until the final corners to take the inaugural victory around the Miami International Autodrome.
It was a tough start to the second F2 round for Tsolov, with a mechanical issue keeping him in the pits for Practice and preventing him from putting in any laps on the medium tyre, which would be used for the race. However, Tsolov managed to stay inside the top 10 in qualifying and started from reverse pole for the Sprint Race.
While Tsolov won from pole, the race was far from simple. From lights out to the chequered flag, he was under pressure from Van Hoepen, who was racing side by side with him, swapping places consistently until the final corners.
Tsolov told media, including Motorsport Week, the battles were ‘intense’ yet he praised it for being ‘the funnest race’ he’s ever done.
“It was obviously quite intense the whole race. I was trying to create a gap and maybe take him out of my DRS, but it was just really difficult. I think DRS was really powerful today. Then, as soon as I got overtaken on the last lap, I almost believed it was impossible to take him back. But then I stayed close to the tight section, and then coming into the last corner, the last braking, and it was all to play for. I broke late on my line, and I think I stayed patient.”
“It was just a sprint race, but I would say it was really fun and I enjoyed it. Probably one of the most enjoyable feelings, especially after the race when it’s all done. But yeah, it was really difficult in terms of heat for sure.”
A risk-free fight
In F2 wheel-to-wheel racing is common, but it’s rarer to have such sustained battles without an incident or any collision. Tsolov said that the fighting remained ‘respectful’ and neither side took any race-ending risks.
“Both of us were quite respectful, never really took way too big risks and stayed on line. So it was really exciting, intense, probably the funnest race I’ve ever done. I’m looking forward to another good battle tomorrow. Starting from a little further back.”
In the closing lap, Van Hoepen made it past the Red Bull junior, but he went deep into the corner, allowing Tsolov to make it back through and take the victory. Tsolov spoke to the media about his mindset during the final laps.
“At some point I was enjoying the race so much, I wasn’t really thinking about first or second place as the situation was going. To be
fair, the moment he quite passed me into T11, I thought it wouldn’t be possible to get him back.
“As I said, I managed to stay close in the low-speed section. Then the DRS was powerful, maybe just not enough to get through on the inside into the last braking. But I just tried to brake late on the outside and see where I end up. I think there was not much risk for me going into that corner.”
“I saw I was a little bit ahead on the braking, which made me get him around the outside and then obviously finish off the race where I am.”
Set-up changes for Sunday
Tomorrow is where the big points lie, with 25 points for the winner opposed to the 10 in the Sprint Race. After running less than his competitors, the setup at Tslov’s Campos was largely guesswork, and the Bulgarian driver is hoping it’ll be fine-tuned further for the main race.
“We did big changes from yesterday to today, just because the only running we did was qualifying, and we weren’t really happy with the car. We went completely in the opposite direction, I would say, today. So I hope tomorrow we can find a balance between the two setups and find even more pace going into tomorrow.
“I think now, having more laps on the track, I feel more confident for tomorrow. Today was, again, on my side was a guess with the braking points, lines, et cetera, how the car is going to behave. Also, the big changes within the setup. So I’m looking forward to tomorrow, if it’s right.”
A turn in the weather
Despite the Sprint Race being a vital track experience for the drivers, the Feature Race also poses challenges due to the forecast rain. With thunderstorm and rain warnings throughout Sunday, there will be an extra variable in the race. Especially for drivers like Tsolov in their rookie year, who have yet to race in the rain in F2.
“I’ve never driven the F3 car in the rain, so it will be a little bit of a challenge, especially on a track like this. I think it’s already rubbered in today, so it’ll be quite tricky in case it’s wet tomorrow. But I mean, we’re drivers, we want to race in whatever conditions. So we’re ready for anything. But yeah, let’s see what happens. It says it might even be a thunderstorm, or we’ll just miss it, maybe for our race.”
Extending his championship lead, Tsolov continues an incredibly impressive start. oth is F2 season. The Red Bull junior is quickly making himself one of the title favourites early in. While fortunes change in F2, it’s clear Tsolov will be up there for the championship battle.
READ MORE: Tsolov takes stunning victory in action-packed Miami F2 Sprint
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