In an FIA Formula 2 Feature Race for the ages, Gabriel Bortoleto became the first driver in the category’s history to go from last on the grid to first at the flag.
Starting in the final grid slot, Gabriel Bortoleto navigated the first lap mayhem to vault up seven places. With the Brazilian in 15th, and team-mate Kush Maini one place back in 16th, the Safety Car was deployed at the end of the first tour.
Gabriel wasted no time making further progress after the restart, taking positions from Richard Verschoor, Enzo Fittipaldi and Oliver Goethe in short order.
With the front runners peeling into the pits, Bortoleto was elevated from 12th to the lead, with Maini not far behind in fifth. Another Safety Car was deployed not long after, enabling the #10 driver to stop for fresh Medium tyres and rejoin in a net race lead.
On the restart, Gabriel piled the pressure on FIA Formula 2 debutant Niels Koolen, forcing him to lock his tyres. Ahead, Roman Stanek had to take avoiding action, and so, the 2023 FIA Formula 3 champion claimed another two positions.
Bortoleto then picked his way past Juan Manuel Correa for third, and Goethe a lap later for second, leaving only his alternate strategy-running, Invicta Racing team-mate Maini ahead.
At half race distance, Gabriel made the move to take the lead of the race from Kush, who ultimately fell back to 15th at the flag after a late pit stop on Lap 28. Although the alternate strategy didn’t pay off for him, he still ran at the front of the pack for much of the 30-lap contest and managed to set the fastest lap on the final tour.
In the second half of the race, Gabriel’s pace was metronomic, as he opened a 9.4-second gap to second-placed Zane Maloney by the time he crossed the line.
A once-in-a-lifetime drive for Bortoleto meant he became the first driver in F2 history to go from last on the grid to the top step of the podium. It also enabled him to close to within 10.5 points of Isack Hadjar at the top of the Drivers’ standings, and for Invicta Racing to take the lead in the Teams’ Championship ahead of the final three rounds.
MONZa FEATURE RACE RESULTS
- Gabriel Bortoleto: P01, 25 points
- Kush Maini: P15
GABRIEL BORTOLETO
What a special race that was. I’m struggling to find the words for what just happened. I never give up, the team never gives up, and when we start last on the grid we truly believe that anything is possible. I’ll remember this day for a very long time, but we have to stay focussed. It’s game on in the championship fight now.
KUSH MAINI
First of all, a big congratulations to Gabriel for an incredible race today. After running at the front for so much of it, I’m disappointed not to bring home a better result but it is what it is. There’s still three more events to go so I’ll be looking to finish the season on a high.
ANDY ROCHE, TEAM PRINCIPAL
Without a doubt, that was one of the team’s best victories to date. To go from last to first is a truly extraordinary achievement and speaks to the talent Gabriel has displayed throughout his career so far. Kush drove a great race today too, it’s just a shame the strategy didn’t fall his way in the end. We head into the final three races leading the Teams’ Championship and closing in on the Drivers’, so our main focus will be to fight for both of those in Abu Dhabi.
