Theo Pourchaire wins FIA Formula 2 opener at Monza as Piastri holds narrow championship lead

Theo Pourchaire has won the FIA Formula 2 opener at Monza as Oscar Piastri maintained a narrow hold on the championship lead in fourth.

David Beckmann started the reverse-grid race on pole, but it was second-place starter Juri Vips who took the lead into turn one.

Neither were able to hold on to the top spots, finishing the race in eighth and tenth respectively after suffering high tyre degradation.

The first major incident of the race came on lap two with Pourchaire challenging Dan Ticktum for third position behind Vips and Beckmann.

Both drivers locked up, running wide into turn one.

Pourchaire was able to rejoin the track but Ticktum, who had been on the outside, was collected by Felipe Drugovich and spun around into the oncoming traffic.

The safety car neutralised the field while Ticktum's Carlin was removed from the track.

At the restart, Guanyu Zhou was quickly past Robert Shwartzman for sixth, before Drugovich skidded out into the gravel.

The field was stalled once again as a virtual safety car was called.

Racing once again, Kiwi Liam Lawson attempted a move past Pourchaire for third position, damaging his front wing in the process.

Lawson was forced to pit for repairs and returned to the field in last place.

At the front, Pourchaire's consistent pressure paid off, with Beckmann locking up into turn one and diving down the escape road.

His charge towards the lead was stalled when Roy Nissany spun, bringing out the safety car.

Vips led at the restart but lost the position to Pourchaire, setting fastest laps to build up a six-second advantage.

Guanyu Zhou made it past the struggling Zhou for second and was able to slightly cut Pourchaire's lead, but the young Frenchman took his second win of the season by 4.3 seconds at the flag.

"That was a crazy race," said Pourchaire, "with a lot of good overtakes from P4 to the race win."

"There was a podium for my teammate as well from P19."

"The car was really good, and the team are really happy."

“I don’t know what to say, I just want to thank the team and thank Sauber Academy."

"I hope we can do the same in the second race.”

Christian Lundgaard completed the podium in third, with Aussie Oscar Piastri just behind in fourth, holding on to his lead of the championship.

Lawson finished fifth after a massive recovery drive, with fellow kiwi Marcus Armstrong crossing the line in eleventh.

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