F2 Azerbaijan: Durksen Fends off Rookies for Maiden Victory

Remarkable Debut for Newcomers, but Durksen's Experience Proves Invaluable

In a thrilling Azerbaijan Feature Race, Jake Hughes and Olli Caldwell, both rookies, displayed exceptional pace, challenging the experienced Ralph Boschung, but ultimately, it was Red Bull junior Dennis Durksen who emerged victorious, securing his maiden Feature Race victory.

Caldwell and Hughes, driving for Campos Racing and Carlin, respectively, showcased impressive speed throughout the weekend, setting the stage for a captivating race. However, it was Durksen, the only driver in the top five with prior experience on the Baku City Circuit, who played the strategist, opting for a cautious start on the medium tires while his rivals began on the soft compound.

Durksen's Patience and Strategy Pays Off

Boschung initially led the race from pole, followed by Caldwell and Hughes, but Durksen's patient approach proved beneficial as the soft-shod drivers ahead of him began to struggle with tire degradation. Durksen capitalized on this and took the lead on lap 14, expertly managing his tires, especially in the race's closing stages, to seal the victory.

Hughes held onto second place, while Boschung, despite starting from pole position, dropped down to third. Caldwell finished fourth, ahead of Ayumu Iwasa and Logan Sargeant.

Clash Between Title Contenders Adds to the Excitement

Adding to the drama of the race was an incident between championship contenders Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich. Pourchaire attempted to overtake Drugovich on lap 13 but misjudged the move, colliding with the Brazilian. Both drivers were forced to retire from the race, a major setback in their title aspirations.

Durksen's victory propels him into the championship lead, with 88 points, while Pourchaire drops to second with 73 points, just ahead of Drugovich on 66 points. With seven races remaining in the 2022 season, the championship battle promises to be intense.

Detailed Highlights of the Race's Top Moments

Lap 1: Boschung maintains the lead at the start, followed by Caldwell and Hughes, while Durksen slots into fourth.

Lap 7: Hughes overtakes Caldwell for second position, setting the stage for a thrilling battle between the rookies.

Lap 14: Durksen takes advantage of tire degradation and passes both Hughes and Boschung to take the lead.

Lap 20: Caldwell attempts to overtake Boschung for second but fails, allowing the Swiss driver to retain his position.

Lap 28: Durksen extends his lead over Hughes to over three seconds, securing his maiden Feature Race victory.

Final Thoughts

The Azerbaijan Feature Race showcased the exceptional talent of the new generation of F2 drivers, as well as the importance of experience in the fiercely competitive world of motorsport. Durksen's victory serves as a reminder that strategy and patience can often trump raw speed.

As the season progresses, the battle for the championship intensifies, with Pourchaire and Drugovich eager to regain the lead. The next round of the 2022 F2 season will take place at Silverstone, UK, on July 1-3, promising more thrilling racing and intriguing storylines.