F2: Daruvala wins chaotic Monza Feature Race

Jehan Daruvala expertly navigated the chaos of the F2 Feature Race at Monza to score his first win this season. After a couple of difficult rounds, a double podium in Italy will undoubtedly bolster the Indian driver’s confidence as he heads into the two-month break.

• Daruvala wins, 1.970 secs from Vesti
• First Feature Race win for the Indian
• P3 in Sprint Race

Daruvala wins at Monza

Starting from sixth on the grid, Daruvala did have a brief scare when he made contact with Jack Doohan. But he was able to carry on as the Safety Car was brought out after a string of opening lap retirements.

Racing didn’t resume for long, though, as Calan Williams’ crash once again brought out the Safety Car. Daruvala took full advantage of this and dived into the pits for fresh tyres just before the race was eventually red-flagged to repair the barriers. The well-timed pit stop moved him up to third and he was the highest-placed driver to have already taken a pit stop.

As racing got underway once again, Daruvala carefully managed his tyres before gunning for race leader Richard Verschoor and second-placed Marino Sato. He swiftly passed Sato on lap 18/30 and then started reeling in Verschoor.

He didn’t end up having to pass Verschoor on track, as the Trident racer (who was struggling with older tyres at this point) ended up pitting with five laps to go, handing Daruvala the lead. Second-placed Frederik Vesti couldn’t close the gap, allowing Daruvala to pick up his first win since Abu Dhabi 2021.

Double podium for Daruvala

After some difficult rounds, Daruvala showed impressive form at Monza. Just yesterday, he’d made his return to the podium after finishing third in the Sprint Race.

“It’s been a difficult year a lot of the time, so I’m very, very happy. We have a break now and it’s a good way to finish off – a podium yesterday and a win today in the main race. I can’t be more happy, big thanks to Prema, we’ve been struggling in the past weeks and to bounce back strong at their home race really means a lot to both of us,” Daruvala said.

Felipe Drugovich has already sealed the 2022 F2 title, but the battle for the remaining places is very much still on. Daruvala’s latest results move him to fifth place overall. He’s tied with Doohan on 126 points, but the Australian driver remains ahead on countback.

There’s just one round to go at Abu Dhabi, but that’s after a long two-month break. “This weekend’s result couldn’t have come at a better time as we now head to Abu Dhabi for the season-finale,” Daruvala added.