Felipe Drugovich wins strategy battle to take out Formula 2 feature race in Saudi Arabia
Felipe Drugovich has won the strategy battle in Saudi Arabia to take victory in the second feature race of the 2022 FIA Formula 2 season.
Felipe Drugovich celebrates victory in Saudi Arabia. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
Drugovich started on the medium tyres and pitted for hard tyres on lap nine, while rival Dennis Hauger was on the alternate strategy, taking the hard tyres to lap 22.
Each was the fastest on their respective strategy, with Drugovich making up valuable ground on track after his pit stop while Hauger stayed out in hope of a late battle through the field or a quick pit stop behind a safety car.
The MP Motorsport driver was simply too fast to be challenged by Hauger, making his way up to third and just 14 seconds behind the PREMA driver before Hauger peeled into the pits and handed the race lead back to Drugovich.
“Super happy with the result, I couldn’t have asked for more," said Drugovich.
"Pole position and a podium in yesterday’s race, then a win in the feature race today."
"I am leading the championship now, so I am extremely happy with the whole weekend."
"Thank you to the whole team."
"They did an amazing job, the car was awesome every session."
"I think it's difficult to repeat weekends like this, but we will try to do it every round this year."
"I'm really happy, this gives a lot of confidence to me and the team."
Felipe Drugovich, Richard Verschoor, and Jehan Daruvala on the podium in Jeddah. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
The victory was the Brazilian driver's first trip to the top step since 2020, and with title contenders Liam Lawson and Théo Pourchaire both retiring from the race, Drugovich also claimed the lead of the F2 standings.
"I think it gives me all the confidence that I want, but we need to keep our heads down," said Drugovich.
"It's going to be a long championship so we have to just try to focus and work to improve even more."
Richard Verschoor and Jehan Daruvala completed the podium, with the Red Bull junior driver a surprise addition to the last step of the podium as the first to pit on lap six.
Kiwi Marcus Armstrong finished fifth after holding off Hauger, who ultimately finished in sixth.
Jack Doohan finished ninth after starting last on the grid due to his disqualification from qualifying.
The Aussie was up to second on track at one stage as he stayed out on the alternate strategy before pitting on lap 23.
With four laps to go he emerged in tenth before a last-dash overtake on Jüri Vips into turn one put him into ninth.
He earnt an extra point on lap 26 with the fastest lap of the race.
Liam Lawson in the Jeddah pit lane. (Red Bull Content Pool)
Calan Williams finished thirteenth while Liam Lawson retired with a loose wheel after his pit stop.
"A great start to the race, got up to P3 quickly and it was all looking good but then lost it all at the pit stop," said Lawson.
"Mistakes happen, that's racing, very disappointing obviously."
Drugovich leads the standings on 45 points, with Lawson in second on 34 points ahead of Richard Verschoor on 32 points.
Marcus Armstrong sits in seventh with Jack Doohan and Calan Williams in fourteenth and fifteenth respectively.
The FIA Formula 2 season returns 21-23 April at Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
