All images ©: Dutch Photo Agency
Kush Maini was given the all-clear by the medical team in Baku after a monstrous start-line collision, while Gabriel Bortoleto took the lead in the Drivers’ Championship with a measured drive to fourth in the Feature Race.
Both Invicta Racing drivers started the 29-lap FIA Formula 2 Feature Race on the purple Super Soft tyre with Kush Maini fifth on the grid and Gabriel Bortoleto sixth.
READ MORE: Azerbaijan Sprint Race report
Unfortunately, as the race got underway, Maini remained stationary and Oliver Goethe and Pepe Marti were powerless to avoid contact. All three drivers were out of the race instantly, but most importantly, they were given the all-clear by the medical team following an unsettling incident.
Following post-race investigations, it was found that a failure to follow Start Set Up Procedure as per the technical regulations was the cause of the stall. As a result, Kush was handed two post-race sanctions.
After a lengthy red flag delay to recover the stricken cars, two reconnaissance laps behind the Safety Car preceded a rolling restart. Having switched from laps to a timed race, there were just 28 minutes left on the clock as the contest got back underway, and Gabriel eyed Zane Maloney’s fourth place in the early laps.
As many of the leaders filed into the pits, Maloney and Bortoleto stayed out for an extra lap. Although the Brazilian rejoined in the same position, Maloney went straight into combat with Kimi Antonelli and subsequently locked up into the run-off, elevating the Invicta Racing driver to a net-fourth place.
In the closing stages, Gabriel was on a charge, closing a 3-second gap to Antonelli down to under a second, setting the fastest lap in the process. Before he could mount a serious challenge, the Safety Car was deployed ending any hopes of taking the final step on the podium.
The field finished the race behind the Safety Car and Gabriel crossed the line in fourth place. With reduced points awarded and an additional point for the fastest lap, he secured 11 valuable points in the title race and with Isack Hadjar finishing outside the top ten, Bortoleto took the lead in the Drivers’ standings by 4.5 points heading into the final two rounds.
GABRIEL BORTOLETO
"Firstly, it’s great to hear that Kush has been cleared by the doctors. That was a nasty incident, and the most important thing is that everyone involved is OK. After the restart, I knew we had the pace to challenge the guys up front, it’s just a shame we ran out of time at the end with Kimi [Antonelli]. Fourth was still a great result for the championship though, and it’s amazing to now be leading in the points, but there’s still two rounds to go and anything can happen so we can’t lose focus."
FEATURE RACE RESULTS
- Started: 6th
- Finished: 4th
- Points: 11
KUSH MAINI
"I’m glad no one was hurt, and that Oliver [Goethe] and Pepe [Marti] are OK. That’s the main thing after a crash like that. It’s a real shame to end the weekend like that because we had strong pace through practice, qualifying and the Sprint."
FEATURE RACE RESULTS
- Started: 5th
- Finished: DNF
- Points: 0
ANDY ROCHE, TEAM PRINCIPAL
"I know I speak for everyone in the team when I say we’re all just relieved to see Kush walk away from that huge incident. No one likes to see crashes like that, but it’s a testament to the FIA and the Formula 2 cars that everyone got out unharmed. That was a mature drive from Gabriel after the restart, and he’s now in a great position heading into the last two rounds. We’ll give it everything in Qatar and Abu Dhabi."
