FIA Formula 2

Ollie Bearman tops dramatic climax to Formula 2 Baku sprint

Andrew Rickert

Apr 30, 2023 — 3 min read

Oliver Bearman came out on top to take victory in the dramatic finish to the FIA Formula 2 Baku sprint race.

Ollie Bearman celebrates his sprint race victory in Baku. *(PREMA Racing)*

Bearman started ninth on the grid after earning his maiden pole position on Friday, making his way through the field and putting his PREMA in position to take the lead as the leaders crashed out at the final restart.

The PREMA pair of Bearman and Frederik Vesti emerged in the lead, with Bearman making the move for the lead seconds before the safety car neutralised the race for a final time before the chequered flag.

“First win in F2 and also my first podium! I’m really happy to take this result starting from P9. It

was a mega race and going off pole tomorrow, we can be hopeful," said Bearman.

Ollie Bearman came out on top after overtaking his teammate on the final racing lap. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

It was a race where holding the lead seemed to bring bad luck, with reverse pole-sitter Richard Verschoor spinning into turn one and clipping Zane Maloney who was second. Maloney suffered a puncture, pitting from the lead for repairs.

Dennis Hauger had a monster start from sixth and was into the lead by the time Ralph Boschung hit the wall at turn 11, bringing out the first safety car.

Hauger held the field as long as possible at the restart, with Vesti holding off the challenge from Jehan Daruvala for third and Bearman making his way through the field behind.

Roy Nissany hit the wall hard at turn 15, bringing out the safety car once again and setting up the race for a final three laps.

With the field struggling for grip at the restart, leader Hauger hit the wall and destroyed his right rear, with Victor Martins gliding into the barriers behind him. Daruvala, with nowhere to go, ran wide and found himself wedged under Martins.

Vesti led ahead of teammate Bearman after the first corner fracas, but Bearman slipped through in turn four and took the lead and the victory as the safety car was deployed for a final time.

Vesti was second, with Jak Crawford completing the podium for Hitech Pulse-Eight.

Ollie Bearman, Frederik Vesti, and Jak Crawford on the podium after the Formula 2 Baku sprint race. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

Théo Pourchaire and Arthur Leclerc were both left stranded at turn one, while Australian Jack Doohan spun out and was lucky to avoid contact with the drivers ahead.

Ayumu Iwasa may not have finished the race but holds the lead of the championship standings, with Vesti up to second, tied with Pourchaire on 50 points but ahead on countback.

The FIA Formula 2 field returns to the streets of Baku on Sunday at 5.20pm (AEST).

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