F2 - Monaco - Weekend completed

Qualifying

Victor set the fastest time in qualifying group A, before qualifying in 2^nd place just ahead of Theo (2^nd heat B), the latter’s group having been the fastest of the two.

Sprint race

Our two drivers reversed their 8^th and 9^th starting places on the first lap, when Victor overtook Theo after the latter was slowed down when he tried to overtake another car.

They both gained a position after a safety car and kept their respective places until the finish and scored points for 7^th and 8^th places.

Feature race

Victor and Théo took 2^nd and 3^rd position at Sainte Dévote turn 1. Then, on lap 22, a safety car brought on early pit stops, which Victor and Théo completed on the same lap, without gaining or losing a position.
Following a red flag, Victor and Théo resumed their duel behind the leader before Victor was given a drive through penalty for not slowing down sufficiently enough at the time of the incident which triggered the red flag. He emerged from the pits in 8^th and set the fastest lap while Théo took 2^nd place and secured his 3^rd podium in 3 years around the streets of Monaco.

Theo Pourchaire:

“Despite a problem with the car on Thursday, we went on to raise the bar in qualifying. I was happy to be in the top 3 for the 4^th time this season, even if pole seemed possible to me until the red flag.

After trying to pass Doohan on the 1st lap, I had to slow down and that allowed Victor to pass me, but it was positive to score a point and gain confidence for the main race.

On Sunday, I made a good start, but I had to slow down a little to make sure I didn’t make contact with either Victor or the barriers. After my pit stop, I was still in 3^rd and I attacked to try to pass Victor without using my tires too much. I moved into 2^nd place when he took his drive through penalty but by then Vesti was then too far away to aim for the victory. A 3^rd podium finish in Monaco with ART Grand Prix in F2 is a very pleasing result and validates all the team’s hard work. Consistently finishing in the first few places is crucial, so we can’t make any mistakes so as to maintain this level of performance.”

Sébastien Philippe:

“First of all, I want to congratulate the team for their level of competitiveness, which has once again made it possible to have two drivers high up on the grid and in positions to fight for victory in the main race and score points in the sprint race.

Congratulations to Theo for keeping his cool in all circumstances. He missed pole position by a few hundredths and optimized the result of both races.

Victor was just as competitive in winning his qualifying group. He was opportunistic in the sprint race and could have reaped the rewards of his and the team’s labor in the feature race. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way but he is only in his first year of F2 and the role of the team is to support him so that he does not make any more mistakes that can cost the team dearly and prevent him from fulfilling his objectives.”