F2 title battle amazingly close
Top five drivers separated by just seven points
After six races in Spain, the Czech Republic and Belgium, the
2009 FIA Formula Two Championship is shaping up to be an incredibly
close race for the inaugural title - and just seven points separate
the top five drivers as the series heads to Brands Hatch for its UK
debut on 17/18/19 July.
The closeness of the field was evident from the first pre-season
test at Snetterton, where the top 21 drivers were separated by less
than a second. The opening three events at Valencia, Brno and
Spa-Francorchamps provided qualifying battles often decided by
hundredths of a second as well as exciting wheel-to-wheel racing,
and not a single driver has established themselves as a clear
championship favourite.
Four different drivers have led the standings in just three race
weekends, and a staggering 18 drivers have already
scored championship points. Nine different competitors have
stood on the podium, whilst a further four have recorded race
victories so far.
Andy Soucek currently leads the way after following up his
race win in Brno with a podium at Spa-Francorchamps last
Sunday afternoon. The Spaniard has accumulated 28 points from the
opening six rounds. "I have raced in nearly all the junior
catergories - Formula Three, GP2, World Series by Renault," said
Soucek. "I am really impressed by the level of drivers in Formula
Two - I knew that the guys would be quick, but there are a lot of
young talented drivers here."
After taking double victory at the inaugural event in Valencia,
Robert Wickens maintained second position in the standings in
Belgium by making a welcome return to the podium. Meanwhile, Julien
Jousse is proving the importance of consistency, having scored
points in five of the six races to date. The Frenchman is yet to
win in F2, but his current tally leaves him just three points shy
of the championship lead.
Tobias Hegewald scored back-to-back victories at
Spa-Francorchamps to thrust himself into the thick of the
championship race in fourth position, whilst a fruitless weekend in
the Ardennes had the reverse effect for Mirko Bortolotti, who
dropped from first to fifth overall.
As F2 moves to Brands Hatch for rounds seven and eight in just
over two weeks' time, Andy Soucek is under no illusions as to how
tough the championship challenge is going to be. "There may end up
being five or six drivers fighting for the championship," he
concluded. "Maybe some of the other guys do not have the experience
to compete like this for the whole season, but still the level is
very high. As you can see, I am not winning all of the time, so I
am going to have to fight very hard to win this championship."
Brands Hatch will host the UK debut round of the FIA
Formula Two Championship alongside the FIA World Touring Car
Championship on 18/19 July. Tickets cost from £24 for adults,
with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more
information call 0870 950 9000 or click
here.