FIA Formula 2

Redemption for Richard Verschoor with victory in Austria a year after disqualification

Andrew Rickert

03 Jul 2023 — 2 min read

A year after losing his Formula 2 victory in Austria after being disqualified, Richard Verschoor has earned the ultimate redemption with victory in this year's feature race.

Richard Verschoor celebrates his eventful victory in Austria. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

On the alternate strategy, a late safety car turned the race order on its head, with Verschoor taking the first ever victory in the series for team Van Amersfoort Racing.

An emotional Verschoor dedicated his victory to friend Dilano Van 'T Hoff, who was killed while racing in the Formula Regional European series on Saturday.

"Just won the race from P11," said Verschoor.

"It was an amazing one, especially the last few laps were a good fight with Iwasa. It was super nice, also very happy for the team."

"I cannot wait to get to Silverstone next week.”

Richard Verschoor (middle), Ayumu Iwasa, and Frederik Vesti on the podium in Austria. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

Frederik Vesti took the lead from pole sitter Victor Martins off the grid, with fellow French driver Théo Pourchaire making his way up into second.

Jack Doohan had a storming first lap, making his way past Martins and then Kish Maini to take third place.

Ayumu Iwasa was another fast starter, making up five places on the first ap and up to ninth by lap six.

With the front runners into the pits for their mandatory stops it was Enzo Fittipaldi who cycled to the lead ahead of Verschoor, while Doohan made his way by Pourchaire for eighth, net second place in the race among the runners who had already pitted.

Arthur Leclerc's weekend to forget continued in the feature race, pulling off the track shortly after pitting, his rear right tyre not properly secured and coming loose on track.

The virtual safety car quickly became a full safety car, with drivers on the alternate strategy diving into pit lane for their mandatory tyre change.

When racing resumed it was clear Verschoor held control of the race, picking off Martins and then Pourchaire to climb back up to third.

A brief virtual safety car for the stranded car of Kush Maini gave the alternate runners just four laps to catch the on-track leaders, with Vesti ahead of Doohan at the front.

Verschoor steamed through the pair as the lead driver on the alternate strategy, with Vesti and Doohan soon falling to Ayumu Iwasa.

Verschoor held off the Japanese driver to take the chequered flag, with Iwasa in third and Vesti holding on for the final podium position.

Jack Doohan cruelly fell to fourth but took home valuable points in the championship after a race that may well have been his to lose without the intervention of the safety car.

Vesti holds the lead of the standings ahead of Pourchaire, with Iwasa closing in from third in the championship. Oliver Bearman is fourth and the leading rookie, with victory taking Verschoor to fifth on the table.

The FIA Formula 2 field returns next weekend at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

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2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship - Round 8 Austria Feature Race Result