Gabriel Bortoleto Fortifies F2 Championship Bid as Pepe Martí Claims Maiden Victory in Thrilling Abu Dhabi Sprint Race
The penultimate race of the Formula 2 season, the Abu Dhabi Sprint Race at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, delivered a captivating spectacle that significantly reshaped the championship landscape. In a display of tactical brilliance and raw speed, Gabriel Bortoleto secured a crucial second-place finish, bolstering his championship challenge, while Pepe Martí orchestrated a masterful lights-to-flag victory, marking his first triumph in Formula 2.
The sun-drenched circuit of Yas Marina set the stage for intense competition, with the championship battle reaching its zenith. All eyes were on the key contenders, particularly Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar, as they vied for every precious point available. The stakes were incredibly high, with the sprint race offering a vital opportunity to gain momentum ahead of the decisive Feature Race.
Martí Dominates From Start; Early Drama for Title Hopefuls
The pre-race build-up saw an unexpected twist with Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a driver of immense potential, withdrawing from the event on doctor’s advice due to feeling unwell. This left a 21-car field to contest the sprint, with reverse-grid pole-sitter Amaury Cordeel inheriting the prime starting position.
However, Cordeel’s advantage proved short-lived as the lights went out. The Hitech driver struggled off the line, immediately ceding the lead to a surging Pepe Martí, who showcased an explosive start from the second row. Martí, driving for Campos Racing, seized the initiative decisively, darting into the lead before the first corner and establishing an early rhythm that would define his race. Adding to the opening lap drama, Kush Maini, starting further down the grid, executed a phenomenal charge, gaining an astonishing six positions to slot into second place, hot on Martí’s heels.
Amidst the chaos of the opening lap, championship contender Isack Hadjar, who started in a promising position, suffered minor front wing damage. The incident occurred during an intense battle between Maini and Ritomo Miyata. Fortunately for Hadjar, the damage was not severe enough to necessitate a pit stop for repairs, allowing him to continue his race, albeit with a slight aerodynamic disadvantage. Meanwhile, his closest rival, Gabriel Bortoleto, demonstrated exceptional race craft and composure. The Invicta Racing driver made swift and calculated progress through the midfield, expertly navigating traffic and steadily climbing the order. By the end of the opening phase, Bortoleto had advanced to third place, positioning himself strategically behind his Invicta teammate, Kush Maini, as Martí continued to command the race from the front.
Mid-Race Chess Match: Bortoleto Climbs, Aron Advances, Cordeel Penalized
As the race settled into a rhythm, the strategic battles began to unfold. Gabriel Bortoleto, acutely aware of the championship implications, continued his relentless ascent. He expertly maneuvered past his teammate Kush Maini to claim second position, a critical move that put him directly in contention for maximum points. Maini, who had enjoyed a spectacular start, subsequently began to lose pace and fell down the order, unable to sustain his early charge. This allowed other drivers, including Paul Aron, to capitalize.
Paul Aron, another driver with a mathematical, albeit slim, chance at the championship before the race, was determined to secure vital points. Driving for Hitech, Aron demonstrated consistent pace and intelligent racing. He successfully overtook Maini, who continued to struggle, adding crucial points to his tally and further consolidating his position in the top three. Maini’s rapid descent through the field highlighted the fierce competitiveness of Formula 2, where fortunes can change dramatically within a few laps.
At the front, Pepe Martí maintained an unflappable lead, never allowing Bortoleto to close the gap significantly. The Spanish driver displayed remarkable control and maturity, consistently delivering quick laps and expertly managing his tyres. Aron, meanwhile, kept pace with his Hitech teammate Cordeel, engaging in a prolonged battle that would culminate in a decisive overtake. On Lap 17, Aron executed a superb move, passing Cordeel out of Turn 9 to secure the final podium position, a testament to his persistent efforts throughout the race.
The mid-race action wasn’t without its incidents. Joshua Duerksen, battling fiercely for fourth position, challenged Amaury Cordeel. However, the contest ended in contact at Turn 6. Cordeel, under pressure, locked up his brakes, resulting in a collision with the left-rear of Duerksen’s AIX car. The race stewards quickly reviewed the incident and deemed Cordeel responsible, handing him a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision, a decision that would heavily impact his final classification.
Martí’s Maiden Victory, Bortoleto’s Crucial Points, and Championship Implications
As the race entered its concluding stages, Pepe Martí remained in complete command. Despite Gabriel Bortoleto’s best efforts, the Campos driver never allowed his lead to shrink below two seconds. Martí crossed the finish line on the 23rd and final lap, securing a sensational victory in the sprint race. This momentous win marked his first triumph in Formula 2, making him the 18th different race winner of what has been an incredibly diverse and competitive season. His flawless performance underscored his potential and provided a memorable highlight for his team.
Gabriel Bortoleto concluded his stellar drive just over two seconds behind Martí, taking a vital second place. This result was precisely what he needed to consolidate his championship advantage heading into the final round. Paul Aron, following a tenacious drive, finished a respectable third, some 11 seconds adrift of Bortoleto, securing a valuable podium finish that cemented his strong performance in Abu Dhabi.
The post-race penalties significantly altered the final standings for several drivers. Oliver Bearman, who initially crossed the line in fourth, was demoted to fifth after receiving a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits too many times. This penalty promoted Dino Beganovic into fourth place. Isack Hadjar, despite his early contact, managed to secure sixth position, earning crucial points for his championship bid. Luke Browning and Richard Verschoor were among the beneficiaries of penalties, being promoted into the final points-paying positions after Ritomo Miyata and Amaury Cordeel were both demoted due to their respective penalties.
The culmination of the sprint race had profound implications for the Formula 2 championship. Gabriel Bortoleto emerged from the intense battle with a strengthened lead, now holding a five-and-a-half-point advantage over his closest rival, Isack Hadjar, as they head into the decisive Feature Race. For Paul Aron, while his podium finish was commendable, the points gap to the leader proved insurmountable. With 27.5 points separating him from the top, Aron was mathematically eliminated from championship contention, bringing his impressive season to a bittersweet conclusion in terms of the title fight.
The stage is now set for a thrilling finale, with the championship battle poised to go down to the wire between Bortoleto and Hadjar. The Abu Dhabi Feature Race promises to be an epic conclusion to what has been an unforgettable Formula 2 season.
Formula 2 Abu Dhabi Sprint Race One Results
| Position | Car | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | Pepe Martí | Campos |
| 2 | 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Invicta |
| 3 | 17 | Paul Aron | Hitech |
| 4 | 8 | Dino Beganovic | DAMS |
| 5 | 3 | Oliver Bearman | Prema |
| 6 | 20 | Isack Hadjar | Campos |
| 7 | 2 | Luke Browning | ART |
| 8 | 11 | Richard Verschoor | MP Motorsport |
| 9 | 7 | Jak Crawford | DAMS |
| 10 | 12 | Oliver Goethe | MP Motorsport |
| 11 | 5 | Leonardo Fornaroli | Rodin |
| 12 | 6 | Ritomo Miyata | Rodin |
| 13 | 15 | Rafael Villagómez | Van Amersfoort |
| 14 | 16 | Amaury Cordeel | Hitech |
| 15 | 22 | Max Esterson | Trident |
| 16 | 14 | John Bennett | Van Amersfoort |
| 17 | 23 | Christian Mansell | Trident |
| 18 | 9 | Kush Maini | Invicta |
| 19 | 25 | Cian Shields | AIX |
| 20 | 1 | Victor Martins | ART |
| 21 | 24 | Joshua Duerksen | AIX |
| DNS | 4 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Prema |
Further Formula 2 Insights
Delve deeper into the world of Formula 2 with our related articles:
- Formula 2 to debut in Miami and Montreal after Iran war cancellations
- Ex-McLaren junior Dunne’s move to Alpine finally confirmed
- Schumacher says his IndyCar feels like ‘an F2 car, just with better tyres’
- The Formula 2 team with an older driver line-up than almost half the F1 grid
- FIA to award more F1 superlicence points to IndyCar drivers from 2026
Browse all Formula 2 articles