Ticktum dominates damp Formula 2 sprint race in Sochi
Heavy rainfall on Saturday morning meant F2’s sprint race was pushed back to after Formula 1 qualifying.
Even though the track was damp in parts, all of the field started on the slick tyres with race control deciding to start it behind the Safety Car to ensure drivers didn’t get an unfair advantage from starting off the dry line.
Drama ensued before the race start as both UNI-Virtuosi drivers lost control of their cars on the way to the grid meaning they didn’t start the race.
It was a missed opportunity for Guanyu Zhou, but main title rival Oscar Piastri couldn’t capitalise as he only finished ninth.
Back at the front, Ticktum maintained the lead once the race got underway as everyone settled in behind, not wanting to go away from the racing line in a bid to make an overtake.
Ticktum quickly established a comfortable lead at the front of the field ahead of Vips.
The British driver won by 4.4s and was never under threat from Vips, who finished second.
Robert Shwartzman inherited third from Liam Lawson after the Hitech driver hit the wall and sustained suspension damage, resulting in a Virtual Safety Car period.
Shwartzman didn’t have it all his own way as he had to get back past Jake Hughes into Turn 13 having lost the position in the corners prior after making a mistake.
With Zhou and Piastri not scoring, it was an important day for Shwartzman in the race for the title.
Hughes kept fourth ahead of Theo Pourchaire, who picked up the fastest lap of the race.
Rounding out the top 10 was Ralph Boschung, Christian Lundgaard, Richard Verschoor, Oscar Piastri and Lirim Zendeli.
As a result of the weather, the FIA has decided to cancel the second sprint races for F2 and F3.
The action will commence on Sunday morning with the feature races for the respective categories.
