F2: Bearman takes Sprint Race victory as Hadjar spins late on

Oliver Bearman notched up his third victory of the 2024 Formula 2 season, fighting his way back past Championship contender Isack Hadjar in the Lusail Sprint Race.

The Briton led the opening lap from Pole but with the Red Bull Junior Team and Campos Racing driver starting on the Mediums, he came under early pressure.

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The Frenchman claimed the lead of the race on Lap 2 and tried to build a gap, but as the race entered the closing stages, the Hard compound became the quicker tyre.

Bearman cut the gap down from beyond three seconds to get back to within DRS range in the final five laps, and after a few tours in the Campos’ slipstream, moved into first with a dive to the inside of Turn 1.

Hadjar’s night was made worse just corners later, as the suffered a spin that dropped him off the podium and down to fourth position with just two laps remaining.

He ended up behind DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford and MP Motorsport driver Richard Verschoor, who completed the podium.

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Championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto finished fifth ahead of Zane Maloney and Paul Aron, who dropped from P5 in the provisional classification to seventh after being judged to have caused a collision with Victor Martins. AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen rounded out the points in eighth place.

For an in-depth report of the Lusail Sprint Race, visit the official Formula 2 website here.