Bennett beats Montoya to maiden F2 win with last-lap overtake

Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd

John Bennett produced a last-lap pass on Sebastian Montoya to secure a maiden Formula 2 victory in the Red Bull Ring sprint race.

The pair exchanged blows throughout the race. Montoya lost the lead early on to Bennett who found his way past on the inside of turn 1. Oliver Goethe heaped the pressure on third-placed Rafael Villagomez but the German found himself spun round at turn 1.

Goethe, along with Nikola Tsolov, Tasanapol Inthraphuvusak, Roman Bilinski, Joshua Duerksen and Emerson Fitiipaldi had all fallen foul to an optimistic lunge from Rafael Camara. The Brazilian tagged the rear of Inthraphuvusak sending him spinning into Goethe with Tsolov required to take avoiding action, only to hit the Thai driver on the grass.

With so many involved the safety car neutralised the race for three laps to allow the recovery of Goethe, Fittipaldi and Inthraphuvusak’s cars which had suffered terminal damage.

When racing resumed Camara was making moves at turn 3 once more, this time passing championship leader Gabriele Mini for fourth place. Things got worse for Mini who ran wide, allowing Alex Dunne to follow through with the Irishman immediately challenging Camara.

By lap 8 Montoya was looking to take back top spot; the Colombian looked to the inside of Bennett into turn 4 and past the Trident driver, leaving him to squabble with Villagomez behind.

Duerksen was called into the pits to retire his Invicta entry following the earlier incident as the field reached half distance. His teammate though remained under increasing pressure from Dunne behind. By lap 17 the Rodin driver moved himself into fourth having past the Brazilian on the inside of turn 4.

Having briefly escaped DRS range, Montoya was back under pressure from Bennett, whose teammate Laurens Van Hoepen was lucky to avoid a collision after Hitech’s Colton Herta ground to an abrupt stop in front of him exiting turn 3.

As the leading two started their final lap Bennett looked to snatch back the lead he lost. On the outside of turn 4, the British driver pulled alongside before cutting back up the inside to take the lead of the race.

Bennett held firm through the last few corners to secure his maiden victory while Montoya was lucky to cling onto second with Villagomez following closely behind.

Dunne was 2.3 seconds behind in fourth having fended off Mini late on, the Italian passing Camara amidst the battle for the lead. Bilinski and Kush Maini completed the points scorers with the Campos duo, led by Tsolov, rounding out the top 10.

Race results (28 laps)