Invicta Racing chases championship glory in desert finale
Invicta Racing is in contention for both the FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships in the final round of the season, with Gabriel Bortoleto targeting back-to-back FIA Formula 3 and F2 titles.
Following a podium finish in Qatar’s Feature Race, the team heads into the finale with an advantage of 31.5 points in the Teams’ Championship, while Gabriel is just half a point ahead of Isack Hadjar in the Drivers’ standings.
The stage has been set for a thrilling conclusion around the Yas Marina circuit. A raft of driver changes for the final rounds has added an extra layer of intrigue in what was already a classic F2 season, with every one of the 11 teams winning at least one race.
Abu Dhabi has been a familiar season-ending location in recent years, hosting every finale since 2013 bar the COVID-19-disrupted season of 2020. During that time, a number of titles have been decided in the desert, most recently crowning last year’s champion Théo Pourchaire.
Track notes
What was once a twisty circuit full of 90-degree corners separated by long straights evolved into something very different in 2021, with a radical overhaul of the layout. The opening corner is a challenging left-hander, before a trio of fast sweepers close out the first sector.
A tricky braking zone precedes the arcing left of Turn 5, which then feeds onto the track's first long straight. At the end of the straight, Turns 6 and 7 comprise a chicane and the Yas Marina Circuit's best opportunity to overtake. There's no time to rest though, as the second long straight immediately follows, presenting drivers with an opportunity to repass at the end of Sector 2.
The banked left-hander of Turn 9 offers multiple different racing lines, quickly feeding into the slow-speed street circuit sequence of Turns 10-14. Closing out the lap are a pair of fast right-handers that give way to the start/finish straight.
Team formbook
Invicta Racing has had good form around the Abu Dhabi venue in recent years, with Jack Doohan controlling the Feature Race from pole position last year. 2021 was a particularly strong visit to Abu Dhabi in which Zhou Guanyu took the second Sprint Race and Felipe Drugovich took a pair of podiums in one of his best weekends with the team. Victories on the previous layout were also recorded in 2019 and 2017.
Memorable moment
Zhou’s Sprint victory in 2021 featured thrilling four-wide action on the opening lap, a rare scruffy race for new champion Oscar Piastri and a technical problem for race leader Marcus Armstrong. Zhou expertly navigated the chaos to emerge at the head of the pack and sprinted clear to take the win.
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Andy Roche, Team Principal
“This will be a very special weekend for the team whatever the outcome. For the first time since 2020, we enter the final weekend of the season in contention for both championships. Of course, the target is to bring both titles home, and we'll be doing everything in our power to make that happen. We will also be looking to end our time with Kush and Gabriel on a real high note after an incredible 2024 season."
All local times GST (UTC +4). Follow Invicta Racing for updates throughout the weekend.
Live timing for all sessions can be found here.
