Formula 2: Dunne masters the wet to take victory at Spa

Alexander Dunne converted pole into a third Feature Race victory of the season as he mastered the wet conditions to come out on top at Spa Francorchamps.

The Rodin Motorsport driver was forced to hold off challenges from Ritomo Miyata and Roman Stanek before winning the race. Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad came through to second, with Stanek taking the final spot on the podium for Invicta Racing.

AS IT HAPPENED

After four Formation Laps under the Safety Car, a rolling start in rainy conditions got underway and there was an immediate change for P2 as Stanek overtook Miyata at Turn 1.

The ART Grand Prix driver fought back immediately, diving to the inside of his rival at the end of the Kemmel Straight to retake the position.

But their battling allowed Dunne to escape up the road and by the start of Lap 2, the polesitter was 1.8s clear in front.

The rain started to get heavier and Leonardo Fornaroli, having overtaken Josep María Martí on the opening lap for P6, ran wide at Eau Rouge, allowing the Campos Racing driver back through on Lap 3.

Dunne then started to be caught as Miyata closed the gap to 1.2s by the end of Lap 5. Fornaroli’s struggles continued, and on Lap 6, PREMA Racing’s Gabriele Minì took seventh place from him down the Kemmel Straight.

Dunne’s lead over Miyata was just 0.3s to start Lap 8, with Stanek also within a second of the Rodin driver.

Victor Martins in fourth was struggling to keep Lindblad at bay, and on Lap 10, the ART driver was handed two five-second time penalties for exceeding track limits.

On Lap 11, several drivers, including Dino Beganovic, Fornaroli, Sebastián Montoya, Minì, Richard Verschoor all pitted for new Wet Tires. On the next lap, Stanek, Martins and Martí did the same.

The top four of Dunne, Miyata, Lindblad and Luke Browning were in next on Lap 13, however, the Hitech TGR driver spun at pit exit, although he was able to continue on.

As for Dunne, he came out just ahead of Stanek and the two went wheel-to-wheel through Les Combes, but the Irishman stayed ahead as the rain continued to get heavier.

The Rodin driver then pulled out away from Stanek but encountered traffic in the form of the yet-to-pit Oliver Goethe. The MP Motorsport driver fought hard to stay in front, but Dunne eventually got through around the outside at Pouhon to take the lead.

Stanek, having looked set to take the lead a few laps earlier, was now struggling and lost a place to Miyata at the final chicane. He was down to fourth moments later, when Lindblad took P3 down the Kemmel Straight on Lap 15.

Onto Lap 16 and Miyata spun at Pouhon, dropping him from second to fourth, forcing him to defend from Martí and the recovering Browning.

Further behind, Fornaroli took seventh from Beganovic with a brave move through Eau Rouge.

Browning’s comeback through the field continued and after making slight contact with Martí at Stavelot, the British driver dived to the inside of his rival at the final chicane to take fifth.

The Safety Car was soon deployed on Lap 18, with Sebastián Montoya having spun and stopped at Eau Rouge.

However, as the cars rounded the track Goethe stopped with an issue on Lap 21. As a result, the Red Flags were waved and with the race not being resumed, Dunne claimed his third victory of the season.

Lindblad finished second, as Stanek took the final spot on the podium ahead of Miyata. Browning recovered from his spin to finish fifth ahead of Martí and Fornaroli. Beganovic was eighth, Minì ninth, with Martins in 10th.

KEY QUOTE – Alexander Dunne, Rodin Motorsport

“Third Feature Race win of the year, very happy to take back the Championship lead. It was a very difficult race, definitely the hardest one of the year. I felt like there was never a moment where I got to relax so definitely happy to have had a hard fought win.”

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Alexander Dunne retakes the lead of the Drivers’ Championship on 137 points, while Richard Verschoor drops to second on 122. Leonardo Fornaroli is third on 121 points, while Jak Crawford is down to fourth on 116, with Luke Browning fifth with 108.

In the Teams’ Standings, Campos Racing continue to lead the way on 183 points, with Invicta Racing 15 points adrift in second. Hitech TGR are third with 154 points, ahead of DAMS Lucas Oil on 142 in fourth, with Rodin Motorsport and MP Motorsport tied on 139 points.

UP NEXT

The Formula 2 paddock heads straight to Budapest for the final round before the summer break. Round 10 at the Hungaroring takes place from August 1-3.

RACE RESULTS -19 LAPS