Dutch Photo Agency
Charouz Racing System begins the triple-header challenge with a difficult eleventh round at Spa-Francorchamps, where Enzo Fittipaldi still managed to get a point despite two unfortunate races. A result that could have been potentially better, especially after his best ever qualifying session in the FIA Formula 2 championship.
The Brazilian had a very positive Friday, being able to clinch a strong P2 on the grid and proving that he’s among the best drivers in the championship, still improving every race. The Sprint Race got him involved in some hectic situations in the first laps, losing a few places and then getting stuck in traffic, eventually closing in P13. The Feature Race was a really good shot at another great result, but the outcome of some wheel-to-wheel battles got him to slide a few positions back in the first couple of laps.
He held on in P5 until the chequered flag, with a pending investigation by the stewards for cutting the chicane at les Combes during the second lap. In fact, Enzo gave the position back to the car he overtook in that corner, but only two laps later because of a problem with the radio communications between him and the team.
After the race, the stewards decided that an advantage was established and penalized him with 5 seconds added to the race time, dropping him in P10. Positive comeback for his teammate Tatiana Calderón. At her first Formula 2 race since 2019, she managed to stay away from troubles without making any mistake, closing the two races respectively in P19 and P18.
After this round Fittipaldi is currently P6 in the Driver Standings, while Charouz Racing System is now P8 in the Teams Standings. The second challenge of the triple-header will take place next weekend at Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Antonín Charouz, team owner
“Can’t really say I’m happy about the outcome of the weekend. Every race we’re getting closer to the top so to bring home just one point because of some unlucky circumstances out of our control hurts a bit. Still, it motivates us even more for the remaining three rounds, aware that we have the speed to be up there with the top contenders. I’m sorry for Enzo, but I know he’s not gonna have problems in coming back stronger next week. I’m glad that Tatiana had a good return in FIA Formula 2, I’m sure she will get back to the speed she’s capable of in the next rounds. The fact that we have two race weekends ahead without time to stop keeps us focused and the aim is still to end the season on a high”.
Enzo Fittipaldi
“We began the weekend at Spa extremely well with our best Qualifying performance of the season, getting the first row for Sunday’s race with a P2. In the Sprint Race we started in P9 because of the reverse grid but since the first laps we really struggled in finding our usual race pace and I lost a few positions, finishing out of the top 10. In the Feature Race I had a bad start and then again the pace wasn’t what we expected. I dropped to P5 and it was good enough to fight for those positions but not to keep up with the front runners. We had a good pit stop and eventually ended fifth but unfortunately we got a 5-second penalty which I admit is very difficult to accept so we fell back to P10, getting only one point. Frustrating weekend after such a good Qualifying but we’re gonna bounce back at Zandvoort”.
Tatiana Calderón
“First of all, I’m very thankful for the great job the team has done to put me up to speed in difficult conditions, also considering that it was my first race in a while in an F2 car and with the new 18inch tyres. In the Sprint Race I had a good start and it was important for me to do all the laps to better understand the tyres and the car. As there was a safety car with 7 laps to go, we then decided to box so we had the chance to practice the pit stop and the soft compound for Sunday. I think we did a good step from the Sprint Race to the Feature Race, we decided to go on the softs first but after we pitted for mediums I got stuck behind another car ruining my tyres. I was also struggling with oversteer, maybe we could have done a little bit better but we were there in the mix and I’m super happy to be back to F2, it was a very valuable experience especially looking at the next rounds”.
