ROAD TO F1: Mazepin takes first F2 win as Zhou rallies to second at Silverstone

Nikita Mazepin continued his remarkable turnaround of form in Great Britain with a Formula 2 Feature Race victory at Silverstone ahead of Renault junior Guanyu Zhou. It came after Mazepin took his first-ever F2 podium in the previous round.

The Russian had taken just one point from the opening four races of the season, but has added 51 to his tally since then and cruised to a comfortable victory for new-for-2020 F2 entry Hitech Grand Prix, at their home circuit.

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Zhou may still be searching for his first win in F2, but he will at least be consoled by another podium appearance, having started in P8, thanks in part to some inspired strategy from UNI-Virtuosi. He was amongst the last drivers to pit and returned in eighth on the faster medium tyre. A late dash to second was completed with a pass on Lundgaard on the penultimate lap.

Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman’s lead at the top of the championship hangs in the balance. The PREMA racer struggled in qualifying for the second round in a row, but there would be no stunning charge to first, like he achieved in Hungary, as he finished outside the points in 14th.

This allowed fellow Ferrari academy driver Callum Ilott to close the gap between them. The Briton finished fifth to slice Shwartzman’s advantage to just eight points.

Williams junior Dan Ticktum will look to add a win to his trophy collection from reverse grid pole in the Sprint Race on Sunday, at 1010am local time.

For more on F2, visit the official series website.