Top five drivers separated by just six points as F2 arrives at Spa-Francorchamps
Rounds 5 & 6 take place this weekend at legendary circuit
After a wide open pair of races in Brno, the 2009 FIA Formula
Two Championship rolls into the famous Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix
circuit in Belgium this weekend (26/27/28 June) for rounds five and
six of the season.
Mirko Bortolotti currently holds the championship lead, but with
the top five drivers separated by just six points he will have his
work cut out defending his position. The Italian took a stylish
maiden victory in Race One at Brno, but a spin when challenging for
fifth in the second race allowed his rivals to close the gap.
Experienced Spaniard Andy Soucek will be hoping to carry his
winning form into Spa, after capitalising on an error by Nicola De
Marco to take victory in the second race at Brno. Soucek has
previously scored podiums at Spa in Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2,
and will be hoping to again be challenging at the front in Formula
Two.
Separating Bortolotti and Soucek in the overall standings are
the Red Bull duo of Robert Wickens and Mikhail Aleshin, and
Frenchman Julien Jousse. Wickens lies second in the championship
courtesy of a sensational opening weekend in Valencia where he took
both pole positions and both race wins, but after failing to
register a points finish at Brno he will be hoping to get his
season back on track here in Belgium. Aleshin meanwhile lies third
after a string of top-six finishes, but he too must bounce back
from a non-finish in race two last weekend.
Elsewhere it was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Nicola De
Marco, who impressed in Brno by taking pole for race one and
leading much of race two, before a mistake dropped down to third.
Henry Surtees also impressed with pole for race two, but suffered
heartbreak after failing to get away from the start. Henri
Karjalainen was the surprise package of the weekend, the Finn
taking his maiden points finish with fourth in the opening race,
whilst Armaan Ebrahim had two storming drives through the field to
take sixth in both races.
Cut into the forests of the Ardennes, the sweeping
Spa-Francorchamps is set to provide some fantastic racing this
weekend with many of the 25 F2 drivers having previous experience
of the circuit. Incredibly 17 drivers have already scored points
after just four rounds of the championship, with nine claiming
podium finishes.
Championship leader Mirko Bortolotti said: "I'm really looking
forward to Spa - this is the first time I've been here, which is a
bit of a disadvantage, but the circuit has a great reputation and I
think we will have a good package. I'm keen to do my best on Friday
and to see where I stand. I can be very happy with my start in
Formula Two this season, especially my victory, but the
championship is long so I have to look forward and continue
winning."
Robert Wickens said: "Spa is the kind of track that you dream of
driving when you're young - it's a blast! It's also good timing as
it allows me to get Brno out of my system quickly. I'll be
targeting wins and podiums this weekend, and I'm confident whatever
the weather does. It's just a matter of getting things together and
not making the same mistakes we did in Brno."
Andy Soucek said: "I have been in love with Spa since my first
race here in Formula Renault 3.5, and I'm really looking forward to
racing here in Formula Two. More than just my victory, I am very
happy about the fact I have really closed on the top three drivers
after Brno. From the first test my aim has been to win the
championship, and I think Spa could set the tone for the rest of
the season."