Dutch Photo Agency
Charouz Racing System scores more important points after another really positive weekend at Red Bull Ring. The Czech squad was able to deliver another really solid performance at the Austrian track, extending its positive streak with another podium finish conquered by Enzo Fittipaldi in Sunday’s Feature Race.
The Brazilian driver, who was very close to the Top 10 in Qualifying thanks to his 1:14.740 that earned him the 12th place on the grid, was able to get a very notable P9 in the Sprint Race and fought hard on a damp track for the top positions of the Feature Race, passing under the chequered flag in P4 and eventually getting P2 after some penalties has been applied to other drivers.
His teammate Cem Bolukbasi had another unlucky weekend after a remarkable Qualifying that saw him getting P13 just 25 thousands behind Fittipaldi. Unfortunately for the Turkish rookie, his car had a technical issue outside of the team’s control in the Sprint Race and a contact at the beginning of the Feature Race forced him to the second DNF of the weekend.
Thanks to this third podium finish of the season, Fittipaldi is now in a brilliant P5 in the Drivers’ Standings, with Charouz Racing System climbing one position and getting P6 in the Teams’ Standings. Next on the 2022 FIA Formula 2 calendar is another back-to-back challenge, with Round 9 scheduled on July 22-24 at Le Castellet, France, and Round 10 on July 29-31 at Hungaroring.
Antonín Charouz, team owner
“We keep improving and we keep scoring good results, so once again we have very good reasons to smile. We’re really proud of the team and the drivers, with Enzo eventually getting a podium finish again and Cem very close to his performance level in Qualifying. Too bad that things didn’t go his way in the two races, but every weekend he gets closer and closer to the Top 10 and it’s only a matter of time for his first point finish. Also, Enzo is now in the Top 5 in the Driver Standings and that’s a result that shows more than anything else how good is the work that the whole team is doing this season. We’re aware more than ever that the potential is really high and for the next races we’ll aim at nothing less than to fight for the first step of the podium”.
Enzo Fittipaldi
“The weekend started in the right way, Qualifying was pretty good and from P12 we managed to get a P9 in the Sprint Race. Then in the Feature Race we had a very strong pace and we ended up in P2 after the post race penalties, so I’m extremely happy about that. We conquered very important points for the championship and that’s amazing, all I can do is thank the whole team for all the hard work of this weekend. Now full focus on the next round at Paul Ricard, the goal is clearly to keep this good momentum going, staying in the Top 10 and fighting for the podium”.
Cem Bölükbasi
“The weekend could have obviously been a lot better, given the result of Qualifying, but we were unlucky in both races and I couldn’t finish because of things we couldn’t control. Unfortunately in the end it was a tough one, but the pace is there and we’re looking forward to the next one with great confidence”.
