BAKU - PERTAMINA PREMA Theodore Racing finally secured the team’s first podium finish of the FIA Formula 2 season today at the Azerbaijani Baku street circuit, posting a highly-anticipated result considering the pace and quality expressed so far by the overall package.
After losing the chance to fight for victory in race 1 yesterday, Nyck De Vries put together a spectacular recovery from the 14th place on the sprint race grid.
The Dutchman ran quickly and smoothly, avoiding the melee caused by slow-starting cars and moving to P3 with a clean pass to cross the finishing line in the same position. Then, a penalty assessed to another driver elevated him to P2, increasing today’s score.
Unfortunately, Sean Gelael, who scored a points finish in the feature race, was forced to retire after spinning under acceleration and making contact with the wall in turn 1. The Indonesian racer was able to exit his car under his own power and reported no physical consequences.
Sean Gelael #3
Race 2: DNF
Fastest Lap: 1:58.255
"I had to avoid a stalled car at the start and then we lost too many positions in the first three laps. Once the race got going our pace was quite good which is positive. Unfortunately, I made a mistake that ended our race. For sure we’re going to be back stronger in Barcelona."
Nyck De Vries #4
Race 2: P2
Fastest Lap: 1:57.218
"I feel a bit relieved, to be honest. I think we always had the potential to fight at the front. Unfortunately, that potential doesn’t really mean anything if you can’t turn it into results. We just needed it: I never had doubts but we were just not really able to get the results."
"It’s good that today finally things got together and we scored our first podium which we might have deserved a little bit earlier. In the end, the things that have to come, come one day, and I hope we can start our championship today and go on from here."
ACF
