F2: Zhou claws back ground in title fight with Feature Race victory at Silverstone

Jul 18, 2021 12:00am UTC

Alpine test driver Guanyu Zhou clawed back vital ground in the Formula 2 title fight with his third win of the season, triumphing over Williams junior Dan Ticktum and fellow Alpine Academy driver Oscar Piastri in the Silverstone Feature Race.

It had been a disastrous couple of days for Zhou, who failed to score in either of the sprint races and lost the Championship lead to Piastri, falling to fourth. But the Virtuosi driver made amends with a mega launch from second, bolting past polesitter Piastri and into the lead at the first turn.

A failed attempt at the undercut from Piastri gave Zhou breathing space and cost the Australian second place. It was Ticktum who benefitted from the PREMA driver’s pitstop, overtaking Piastri shortly after his return to clinch second on home turf.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Race winner Guanyu Zhou of China and UNI-Virtuosi Racing celebrates

After getting stuck behind backmarker Matteo Nannini on the alternate strategy, Piastri survived a late challenge from Sprint Race 2 winner Richard Verschoor to hold onto third and retain an eight-point advantage at the top of the drivers’ championship.

Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman kept pace with the championship leaders thanks to a P5 finish, although the Russian does drop back behind Zhou to third.

For more on F2, visit the official series website.

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