Norris dominates Formula 2 feature race in Bahrain

  • Published on 07 Apr 2018 13:26
  • comments 3
  • By: Paul Athes

The inaugural race of the FIA Formula 2 championship saw Lando Norris take victory for Carlin.  The British driver had a magnificent qualifying session and set the fastest lap in front his compatriot, George Russell. The first race of the Bahrain weekend was set to have 32 laps with a mandatory pitstop.

18 of the 20 drivers who competed in the first race of the weekend opted for the medium tyres, with the exception of the two Trident drivers, Arjun Maini and Santino Ferrucci. Just as the race was supposed to start, Roberto Merhi and Artem Markelov stalled on the grid, with Markelov managing to restart from the pitlane.

Once again, the whole pack had to do a formation lap. At the restart, Antonio Fuoco stalled. This time the race continued. Norris had an amazing start and was leading the pack. Meanwhile, behind him, Sette Camara and Nyck de Vries were following the McLaren reserve driver, while George Russell, who started from the front row was fighting for the fourth place with Nirei Fukuzumi.

The first part of the race was a one man show. Lando Norris soon settled the pace and in the process extended his leading gap. Also, the McLaren man managed to do an outstanding 1:50.230 in the second lap of the race. After four laps, the gap between him and now second placed de Vries was 4.4 seconds.

Having to start from the pitlane, Artem Markelov had to fight through the field. Lap after lap, the young Russian Time driver, recovered place after place. Meanwhile, in the leading group, Alexander Albon and Sergio Sette Camara were fighting for the last podium place. Several passing attempts were made by both and the entertainment was outstanding.

Markelov's efforts came near to an end when he was battling with Maximilian Gunther for the tenth place. Shortly afterwards he attempted once again an amazing passing manoeuvre over both Maximilian Gunther and Jack Aitken. Therefore, Markelov was now in contention for a top points position.

In front, Norris extended his gap lap after lap. Behind the McLaren reserve driver, de Vries and Sette Camara were fighting. The Dutchman wasn't passed only by his Spanish rival, but he was also passed by Albon soon afterwards.

Halfway through the race distance, Norris had an outstanding fifteen seconds advantage. At this point in the race, only a mechanical failure or an unfortunate could have stopped him from winning the race. 

Norris entered in the pits on lap 18 with a huge lead, although he lost some time staying on older tyres. Meanwhile, Luca Ghiotto was awarded a drive through penalty for the collision he had with Tadasuke Makino in the earlier stages of the race. Nirei Fukuzumi was also awarded a five second penalty for speeding in the pitlane.

The last part of the race was controlled by Norris. Although he was in a dominant position to win the race, Artem Markelov was the real showman. The Russian Time driver continued his charge with several spectacular passes and was soon in the contention for a podium spot.

On lap 26 the impossible was done. Markelov made his move on Albon and the russian was running on third with Camara in his sight. In the last several laps of the feature race, Markelov closed down the gap and managed to get into the DRS zone. From now on he had the opportunity to attack his Brazilian rival.

In the last lap, Markelov made his move but somehow Sette Camara managed to retain his position. Meanwhile, Lando Norris took the checkered flag and completed his total domination with an outstanding win. Sette Camara managed to retain the second place and completed a 1-2 double for Carlin.

Markelov's outstanding comeback ended with him in third place. The Russian Time driver was followed by Albon, while Russell completed the top five. Inside the top ten we also had Nyck de Vries, Sean Gelael, Maximilian Gunther, Jack Aitken and Ralph Boschung. Nicholas Latifi, Louis Deletraz, Santino Ferrucci, Arjun Maini, Roy Nissany, Antonio Fuocco, Nirei Fukuzumi and Tadasuke Makino were the other drivers who managed to end the first feature race of the season, while Roberto Merhi was the only driver who didn't manage to finish the race.

 

Paul Athes

Replies (3)

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  • mbmwe36

    Posts: 533

    My favorite race series last year. This year, not so much it seems. Quite a boring race, no V8s - so we now also have the vacuum cleaner sound in F2.
    Maybe next race will be better, the soundtrack unfortunately won't...

    • + 0
    • Apr 7 2018 - 14:37
    • Might be better to just slam some Super GT I4 engines in the cars. They aint as powerful, but they sure know how to make good sounding small engines.

      • + 0
      • Apr 7 2018 - 16:58
  • Lando Norris is starting to look like a proper superstar. The race was great in every way that matters. I'll take good racing over the V8 sound any day.

    • + 0
    • Apr 7 2018 - 16:29

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
-
Spain
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
-
Italy
-
Italy
-
Italy
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 468
  • Podiums 11
  • Grand Prix 104
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (25)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, United Kingdom
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
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