Former karting stars and Ferrari Academy drivers in the frist weekend of the year at the Red Bull Ring
Formule 2: Prema Racing scores valuable points in race 2 at Red Bull Ring:
A tight and spectacular sprint race handed PREMA Racing a double points finish at Red Bull Ring as the FIA Formula 2 Championship rounded out its first weekend of the year. After cruising to his first series podium in race 1, Robert Shwartzman took fourth place making the most of the situation on the Austrian circuit. Once again, having trains of cars on DRS made attacking really difficult, and the lengthy safety-car situations added up to that. The 20-year-old Russian exits the weekend second in championship points.
Mick Schumacher had an equally positive day. Starting from the 11th place, the German moved back through the pack at the beginning with attacking pace to end up in the 7th position showing a highly-competitive pace. PREMA Racing will now remain stationed at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg for the first back-to-back weekend at the same venue in F1 and F2 history.
Schumacher: "Today has shown again: the speed in the car is right. Although the many safety car phases disturbed the rhythm a bit, we still managed to make up four positions and move up to seventh place. In terms of speed, there would have been even more in it, but Nobuharu defended his position without compromise, so there was no chance for me to pass. I'm happy that it's going to continue in only five days' time because the car feels really good on this track."
Robert Shwartzman: “It was a positive race with a good start. I can say I learned how to start here so hopefully, I can continue as I did now. In turn three, I was squeezed out by another car so I lost one position. After getting by Alesi, I found myself in P5. Throughout the race, I did my best to pass Ticktum but there have been a lot of safety car situations and that wasn't helping because as soon as we restarted, everybody was bunched together and it was really hard to pass. I was really close but never got the opportunity to make a move. This weekend was a positive starting point. We took some valuable points and we know what we can improve for the next round. Now it's just a matter of always getting in the top-5 or top-3 to jump up in the championship.”
Formula 3: Prema Racing takes points finishes in second F3 race at Red Bull Ring
PREMA Racing harvested valuable points today in the second race of the FIA Formula 3 Championship opener at Red Bull Ring. With a reversed top-10 grid from yesterday's race 1 results, the drivers were faced with a difficult task, having to battle their way up.
But as often happens at the Austrian track, a train of cars formed with all drivers using DRS which made difficult to get close and overtake. In addition, tire marbles on the outside of the racing line increased the challenges for those who were trying to pass. Even a late safety car did not change the situation, with the DRS disabled in the final two laps.
Frederik Vesti did his utmost to finish in P6 among a frantic battle for the podium, the 18-year-old taking the second points finish of the weekend. Yesterday's winner Oscar Piastri, who started down in 10th place, eventually crossed the finish line in P8, scoring the fastest lap of the race and retaining the championship lead.
Logan Sargeant had the worse luck of all. The American picked up a puncture early in the running before finishing in 27th place. He is still third in the points, while PREMA Racing controls the Team Championship.
Oscar Piastri: "It was the first time I really experienced dirty air with this car which was more than I was expecting. Given the nature of these tires, it's very easy to overheat them, especially when you're following. I overheated the fronts quite early, and after that, I had a lot of understeer. Finishing 8th, getting the points for that and for the fastest lap as well is a massive bonus. We definitely have some things to work on for the next weekend but hopefully, we can continue us into the next weekend."
Frederik Vesti: "We finished in P6 starting from P7, but with all the cars in each other's slipstream using DRS, it was really difficult to pass. By the way, I got a really solid first Formula 3 weekend, with good points. I still have things to learn and I'll definitely do my best to improve for next weekend. We have the pace, we just need to sit down and work, so I'm looking very much forward to the next event."
Logan Sargeant: "Unfortunately, we got a puncture on lap 2, which pretty much ended our race. I didn't feel any single touch, and I don't think there was much I could have done about it. From that point on, we were just out there doing laps and trying to get more track time to prepare for next week. We'll reset and come back stronger."