FORMULA 2: Latifi wins Race 1 in Hungary to heat up title chase

Nicholas Latifi was back to his brilliant best in Budapest, claiming his first win since Round 3 and closing the gap between himself and Nyck de Vries at the top of the Formula 2 Championship. It was his title rival who took second as the duo shared the podium for the first time in 2019, ahead of Jack Aitken.

When the lights went out, poleman De Vries’ attention was focused on the challenge of Luca Ghiotto to his right, which allowed the Williams F1 test driver to sneak down the left of them both and snatch the lead at the end of Turn 1.

Aitken’s start was equally impressive, as the Briton hopped three places to 5th off the line and began to hound Mick Schumacher. His podium position was won in the pits, as his Campos Racing team delivered the perfect stop and sent him back out, ahead of both Schumacher and Ghiotto, in third.

The race would finish under the Safety Car as Ralph Boschung’s Trident went up in smoke and forced him out of the race. This enabled the front trio to remain unchanged as Latifi narrowed the Championship gap to de Vries to 28 points, ahead of tomorrow’s race. 

For full results, visit the official F2 website.