Talking points from Sochi

With the dust settled at the end of another enthralling FIA Formula 2 race weekend, at Sochi in Russia, we take a look at five talking points from the track.

A worthy champion

Robert Shwartzman is an exciting young talent. But, we knew that already, didn’t we? The Russian seems to have the full package. He has the pace, he can defend and, he’s an incredible overtaker, as has been seen with a series of double swoops across the year.

That’s not to say the title race was easy though, the class of 2019 is very strong and he was pushed all of the way by Jehan Daruvala, as well as Marcus Armstrong, and at times Jüri Vips. The trio all ensured he had to fight hard for it and the Champion obliged.

He didn’t wrap it up with a win, but then he didn’t need to. He showed his maturity by taking as few risks as possible. He knew that P2 would be enough and despite holding the lead at times during the race, wasn’t about to risk his crown for another victory.

He's already said he is ”99% sure” that he will join F2 field next year, and we can’t wait to see how our latest champion fares, if he does make that step up to the final tier of the Road to F1.

Superb from start to finish

Well, the season ended similarly to how it started, with PREMA Racing dominating. The Italian force have made the step from European F3 to the new category seamlessly, or at least they’ve made it look that way.

They wrapped up the team Championship back in Spa and they then locked up the top three spots in the Drivers’ standings this weekend. All three of the trio dominated Qualifying, securing P1, 2 and 3, before Shwartzman and Armstrong finished on the podium in both Race 1 and Race 2.

Honestly, we’re running out of superlatives to describe them with.

Vips’ return to form

At one stage of the season, Vips looked like the most serious challenger to Shwartzman for the title. He sat just 12 points behind him, with two wins and three podiums, as well as a stream of consistent points’ finishes. However, Spa sparked a switch of form and a subsequent struggle, which saw him register just one points’ finish – fifth place – from four.

In Sochi, he finally put this dire run of form to bed, netting a first win since Silverstone, with a solid lights-to-flag performance, having started on reverse grid pole.

The Red Bull F1 junior held on resiliently and never truly appeared under threat – proving just how good he can be on his day.

Back on the podium

It’s been a strange season for Niko Kari. It all started so well for the Finnish driver, when he stood on the podium in Barcelona, having finished third in Race 2. That was about as good as it got though, for the Trident driver. P8 in the second race in Spielberg would be his only point for the next six rounds, as he struggled to compete with the rest of the 30-strong field.

He seemed to come alive again in Sochi, securing his first podium since Round 1, with another third place finish. He competed for the win as well and held P1 at periods during the race. In fact, he can consider himself unlucky not to have held on for the win – had he not come up against the power and pace of PREMA at their very best, he may well have done.

Regardless, it marked a welcome return to the podium for the 19-year-old, and he really needed it.

The ultimate finish

Okay, yes, another PREMA – but it’s impossible not to include them.

All of the talk leading up to the season finale surrounded the battle between Armstrong’s two PREMA teammates, and whether Daruvala could beat the odds and claim the F3 title, ahead of Shwartzman.

With the Kiwi out of the running for the Championship, few expected him to finish the weekend in second place. Admittedly, it did require a pretty dire weekend from the Indian, who scored just 10 points. However, even with that disappointing tally, Armstrong still needed to score a near perfect Round.

The Ferrari F1 junior earned victory in Race 1 and then majestically made his way to second in the Race 2, but that still left him one point behind Daruvala, who was outside of the top eight. The Kiwi knew this and fired around the Sochi Autodrom in Qualifying mode, at the risk of his tyres. Somehow, he pulled it off, and he managed to retain P2 and finish ahead of the Champion, Shwartzman.

Incredible stuff, we think you’ll agree.