F2 at Monza: Surprise win for Makino, Russell increased championship lead

Tadasuke Makino and George Russell (ART Grand Prix) are the winners of two FIA Formula 2 Championship races at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, in the ninth round of the season.

For the Japanese driver of Russian Time team it’s the maiden F2 victory after he started 14th on the grid and gained an advantage of medium tyres against rivals on softer tyres. Artem Markelov finished the race in the second place, making it the 1-2 victory for Russian Time. Alexander Albon (DAMS) completed the podium ahead of pole-sitter George Russell, who stayed in the championship lead.

The other point-scorers in the Feature Race were Nicholas Latifi, Lando Norris, Sergio Sette Camara, Ralph Boschung, Nyck de Vries and Luca Ghiotto. Antonio Fuoco, who finished eighth, was disqualified for a technical infringement after the race.

Formula 2 Feature Race podium

In Sunday’s Sprint Race, George Russell scored his fifth win of the season to increase the championship lead. On the start, he was second behind Nicholas Latifi but dropped to P3 on lap 7, being overtaken by Artem Markelov. Russell overtook Latifi for P2 on Lap 9 and then took the lead on Lap 11, staying in front until the chequered flag after 21 laps.

Artem Markelov took his second podium of the weekend while Sergio Sette Camara (Carlin) finished third. The other point-scorers were Nicholas Latifi, Lando Norris, Luca Ghiotto, Dorian Boccolacci and Jack Aitken.

F2 has two more rounds on a calendar, both as supporting events to F1 events, on Sochi Autodrom (September 29-30) and Yas Marina Circuit (November 24-25).