Renault Formula 1 junior ace and Chinese driver Guan Yu Zhou delivered a phenomenal maiden podium in the Barcelona Formula 2 feature race, while his Italian team-mate Luca Ghiotto pulled off one the drive of the season so far.
Zhou – in just his fifth race – led all drivers on his strategy for the remainder of the race, controlling the pace and managing his tyres with the help of the experienced UNI-Virtuosi team.
He surged into the lead of the race at the start, controlling the net lead – while other drivers moved ahead on different strategies – until with around 20 laps to go he was passed by four-year series veteran Nicholas Latifi who has won three out of the five races so far this season.
Ghiotto had a poor getaway from pole position in the race, and then was hit by another driver late on the first lap which meant he had to pit, and make two stops during the race.
He roared through the field setting the fastest lap and a succession of personal best times to jump up to fourth at the end of the race, one place behind his team-mate, Zhou.
Ghiotto will start fourth in tomorrow’s race, and Zhou in fifth. Ghiotto is third in the championship standings after five races, while Zhou is sixth.
Luca Ghiotto:
The car is proving to be mega. I have no other words to say. P4, we saved a lot of points for sure. It could have been really bad. The comeback was really strong and we were the fastest car today, so we have to try to push tomorrow and maximise the points we earn this weekend.
Guan Yu Zhou:
I'm really happy with the podium, even if as a driver you always feel disappointed when you have been leading the race for a long time. We made the right calls and today is about the learning process, taking a podium in only my fifth race in F2. The team gave me a fantastic car today.
