F2: Kush Maini takes impressive victory in Barcelona Sprint Race

Kush Maini took a commanding win in the FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race in Barcelona, launching off the front row to pass polesitter Noel Leon and dominating from there.

The ART Grand Prix and Alpine Academy driver led every lap after taking the lead, keeping his Pirelli tyres in check and winning by a comfortable seven-second margin.

Championship leader Gabriele Minì put in an impressive performance himself to finish second. The MP Motorsport and fellow Alpine junior driver started the race from seventh on the grid, but made great progress through the pack in the early laps.

He came up against early title rival Nikola Tsolov in the closing stages and made a pass into Turn 1 work to finish P2, despite the pair making slight contact.

Tsolov wound up third at the chequered flag after the Bulgarian’s daring first corner netted him P3, having gone from fifth on the grid.

The Campos Racing and Red Bull Junior Team driver was down to fourth entering the final lap, after a charging Colton Herta had come through the pack, having fallen down the order early on.

The American’s drive was undone on the last tour, however, as a lock-up into Turn 5 left him driving through the gravel, a mistake that cost him a maiden F2 podium and left him fifth across the line.

Noel León was the other beneficiary of the Hitech driver’s off, moving up to fourth place, and going up to third in the Drivers’ Championship as a result.

For a full report of the FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race around Barcelona, head to the official championship website here.