Louis Delétraz: Double podium at Mugello 🎥
THIRD AND SECOND Louis Delétraz doesn't want to win his first FIA Formula 2 race. But for the first time, the driver from Geneva made it onto the podium twice in one race weekend at Mugello. The summary of the turbulent first race shows how Louis Delétraz was actually hopelessly stuck in midfield before the tide turned to his [...]
The summary of the turbulent first race shows how Louis Delétraz was actually stuck in midfield with no chance of success before the tide turned in his favor.
On Saturday, it didn't look like Louis Delétraz was going to make the podium at the FIA Formula 2 debut at the Tuscany GP in Mugello. After he found himself unfairly blocked by an opponent on his fastest qualifying lap, it was only enough for 12th place on the grid.
Turn for the better
But the 23-year-old Geneva native had luck on his side in the one-hour main race. Not only was the tire strategy right, but he also benefited from two safety car phases.
The grip of his tires was so good in the final phase that he was able to work his way up to third position on the penultimate lap, capturing the two additional points for the fastest race lap of the classified drivers.
Louis Delétraz: "I had a bad start and lost a few places straight away. But when the first caution period came, I sensed my chance. On the restart I overtook about five or six cars by the first turn. I almost caught Luca Ghiotto as well, but I backed off to avoid a collision. I was also happy with third place."
As many points as no other
The reversed starting order of the top 8 from the previous day meant a place on the third row for the only Swiss in the second-highest race car class for Sunday's 23-lap sprint. In the course of the first few corners, the Haas F1 test driver fought his way up to third place.
Spurred on by the successful start, Delétraz gained another position at the expense of Red Bull support driver Jüri Vips to finish second and claim another podium - his fourth of the current season.
Louis Delétraz: "That was really a good race. All the planned overtaking maneuvers worked out. Towards the end of the race, the rear tires were weakening, but I was able to defend second place perfectly. The double podium and the many points are important in terms of the championship. Now I'd be ready to climb the final step."
First Le Mans, then final sprint in Formula 2
What Delétraz means by that is a first victory in Formula 2. Before he gets the opportunity to do that, he'll start this week for the first time with Rebellion Racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In the Formula 2 championship, Louis Delétraz moved up to seventh intermediate place thanks to the 29 points scored at Mugello. With a fifth and a fourth place, Mick Schumacher took over the lead of the standings (see table here).
With three Formula 1 events still to come in two weeks' time in Sochi (RUS) and in December in Bahrain, everything is still open in the title fight. Even Louis Delétraz is still in contention for the crown - but he would have to finally win.
