The Formula 2 sprint race in Zandvoort has been abandoned due to heavy rain at the circuit.
Because the minimum requirement of two racing laps was not met, no points were awarded.The first attempt to start the race was red-flagged after several drivers crashed on the wet track. None are believed to have sustained any injuries.
Following a four-week summer break, F2 returned to a racing weekend with Isack Hadjar on partially-reversed grid pole position. Theo Pourchaire was forced into a pit lane start because of a mechanical problem.
Victor Martins joined Hadjar on the front row, with Juan Manuel Correa and Oliver Bearman directly behind. Due to the wet conditions, a rolling start was used.
Hadjar kept his lead at turn one while Bearman overtook Correa for third. But with very little visibility, Jak Crawford and Kush Maini collided on the inside of turn five which caused both to slide off.
Ralph Boschung went into the side of Maini which caused his Campos car to rest underneath his team-mate’s at turn six. With so much damage to clear, the Safety Car was deployed and soon afterwards the race was red-flagged.
After over 30 minutes of stoppage, cars left the pit lane for a race which was scheduled to restart at 2pm local time. However, as they were going round in a Safety Car led formation lap, it became apparent that conditions had become worse.
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With 17 minutes and 30 seconds left on the race countdown, the red flags were waved again. With no sign of conditions improving, and the beginning of F1’s qualifying session less than an hour away, it was announced the race would not be resumed.
Pourchaire therefore keeps his 12 point championship lead with five races remaining, with Frederik Vesti in second and Ayumu Iwasa third.
Formula 2 Netherlands race one results
| Position | Car | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Isack Hadjar | Hitech |
| 2 | 6 | Victor Martins | ART |
| 3 | 8 | Ollie Bearman | Prema |
| 4 | 23 | Juan Manuel Correa | Van Amersfoort |
| 5 | 3 | Zane Maloney | Rodin Carlin |
| 6 | 14 | Jack Doohan | Virtuosi |
| 7 | 7 | Frederik Vesti | Prema |
| 8 | 21 | Clement Novalak | Trident |
| 9 | 1 | Dennis Hauger | MP |
| 10 | 2 | Jehan Daruvala | MP |
| 11 | 12 | Arthur Leclerc | DAMS |
| 12 | 22 | Richard Verschoor | Van Amersfoort |
| 13 | 11 | Ayumu Iwasa | DAMS |
| 14 | 20 | Roman Staněk | Trident |
| 15 | 4 | Enzo Fittipaldi | Rodin Carlin |
| 16 | 15 | Amaury Cordeel | Virtuosi |
| 17 | 16 | Roy Nissany | PHM Racing by Charouz |
| 18 | 17 | Josh Mason | PHM Racing by Charouz |
| 19 | 5 | Theo Pourchaire | ART |
| DNF | 9 | Jak Crawford | Hitech |
| DNF | 25 | Ralph Boschung | Campos |
| DNF | 24 | Kush Maini | Campos |
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NoelyNoel (@noelynoel)
26th August 2023, 20:08
The crash involving the Campos cars was properly scary, one car going under the other at speed. Although I haven’t seen detail of the crash and only what was shown on the highlights broadcast, I do wonder whether the the Halo device saved another life today.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
26th August 2023, 22:40
Surprised a junior formula stopped a race in heavy rain without resuming it, I guess the fatal spa crash got to the race director.
Dex
26th August 2023, 22:40
Well, if cars or drivers can’t handle rain, then change the cars, the drivers, the tires or the championship itself. This shouldn’t be a norm, not even in the name of safety. If it’s not safe, make it safe. Also, allow more time for F2 and F3. They are treated more like an obstacle for the main event than serious championships. The only thing that’s expected is for the races to finish on time, even if that means that they don’t even happen.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
26th August 2023, 22:42
Yes, this wasn’t a good look on pirelli, I think, they were using the full wet tyres and still spinning out.