Invicta Racing and Gabriel Bortoleto picked up a well-deserved podium in the principality, while Kush Maini endured a challenging Sprint Race that ended in retirement.
The 30-lap contest was fast and frenetic under the glorious Monégasque sun. Facing numerous disruptions in the form of Safety Car, Virtual Safety Car and Red Flag periods, the drivers had to keep their composure as they carved a path between the unforgiving barriers of the Circuit de Monaco.
Owing to Monaco’s confined layout and the challenges that presents during qualifying, several drivers received post-session penalties and Kush was among them, leaving him to start the race from 19th on the grid. Gabriel, meanwhile, was gunning for glory from the front row.
READ MORE: 2024 FIA Formula 2 Monaco Qualifying report
Sprint Race start
A prompt getaway meant he could challenge pole-sitter Taylor Barnard into Sainte-Dévote, but the outside line rarely translates to an advantage and the outcome was no different on this occasion.
Having slotted into second place, Gabriel set about pressuring Barnard in the race’s early stages and during restarts of two Safety Car periods. He couldn’t find a way past though, and concurrently had to consider his defence from Dennis Hauger in third. By the time of a Virtual Safety Car period on lap 11, Kush had progressed to 15th place as others around him faltered.
As two-thirds race distance loomed, Gabriel dropped back from Barnard for an attempt at securing the fastest lap of the race. By this stage, Kush had climbed to 13th, but a race-ending incident awaited him at La Rascasse.
Disaster for Kush Maini
On lap 24, a spinning Zane Maloney ahead left Kush with nowhere to go at the penultimate corner. Stuck between Maloney’s stricken car and the barrier, Kush ultimately retired from a race in which he’d made good progress through the field.
Podium finish for Gabriel Bortoleto
Following a brief Red Flag, just five laps separated Gabriel from a podium in Monaco. With the race restarted, he continued to astutely defend that position until the chequered flag, securing his second Formula 2 podium in succession.
READ MORE: Gabriel Bortoleto secures first FIA F2 podium at Imola
Not only that, but an impressive points haul meant Gabriel closed in on those ahead of him in the Drivers’ Standings. He is now less than a Feature Race win shy of the top of the table.
Sprint race results
- Gabriel Bortoleto: P02, eight points
- Kush Maini: DNF
Quotes
GABRIEL BORTOLETO: "I'm happy with P2. That's a podium for the second race in a row so that's good. There are still some points to work on for tomorrow, but we're looking strong. I'm happy with what we did today. After yesterday's quali that was not so great, today I was in the fight and had a decent pace. We'll keep working for tomorrow."
KUSH MAINI: "It was always going to be an uphill battle starting where we did, but with the drivers running into trouble ahead we’d made some good progress. Then came the incident at La Rascasse; I tried to avoid Zane [Maloney] around the outside, but I ended up with nowhere to go and that was the end of our race. It wasn’t our day today but there will be new opportunities tomorrow."
ANDY ROCHE, TEAM PRINCIPAL: "Today was a day of mixed fortunes for Invicta Racing. Gabi had great pace and did everything he could to find a way past Taylor [Barnard], but this is Monaco and overtaking isn’t always possible. He can be proud of his second podium in as many races. Kush on the other hand had a tough day from start to finish. I have no doubt that he’ll reset tonight and come back fighting for the Feature Race tomorrow."
