Tsunoda triumphs in Bahrain F2 Feature Race
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Yuki Tsunoda battled back from a disappointing start to take an impressive victory yesterday in the Formula 2 Feature Race, held as part of this weekend’s F1 Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, the drivers’ title fight has been extended to the final event of the 2020 season as current leader Mick Schumacher maintained his lead on the standings at 14 points from chief rival Callum Ilott.
Prema Racing, on the other hand, which features Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman as their drivers, clinched the teams’ championship.
Tsunoda started the 48-lap Feature in pole position but immediately lost two places at the start. He headed into the first turn of lap one behind Nikita Mazepin of Hitech Grand Prix and Shwartzman.
But the Carlin ace was able to make a late charge for the victory and regained first place on lap 44 amidst a hotly contested battle amongst the leaders. He held on until the end and took the chequered flag in 52:59.396 or his third win in 2020. “I am really, really happy with my result,” said the Japanese driver. “We’ve had really good pace this weekend, especially in the race, and I done my job. “The start was really bad, but I trusted my driving and my tire management. Both went well and I got P1 back, so I am really happy and looking forward to tomorrow.” Guanyu Zhou (+5.613s) of UniVirtuosi claimed second place despite a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, while Mazepin (+6.280s) had to settle for third. He finished ahead of Felipe Drugovich, Shwartzman and Ilott.
Schumacher had a brilliant race to take seventh on the final classification after starting all the way from the back of the grid in 18th. He also set the race’s fastest lap of 1:04.087, earning him an extra two points on the championship standings.
The drivers’ title battle now goes down to the wire and will be decided Sunday in the week- end’s Sprint Race, which will be the final event of the season.
Prema won their teams’ title today after improving to 382 points, going beyond the reach of Uni-Virtuosi with 342.5.
Jehan Daruvala of Carlin will start from pole position in the Sprint Race, following the re- verse grid rule of F2. The curtain-closer will be held over 34 laps and it is scheduled for a 3.20pm start.
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