Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Jak Crawford won the F2 feature race in Azerbaijan. Despite a time penalty, Leonardo Fornaroli could extend his lead in the standings.
Jak Crawford won the F2 Feature Race in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures
The Italian crossed the finish line in third place behind the American and Joshua Durksen, but because of the 10-second time penalty he received after making contract with Alex Dunne, he finished fifth.
As a result, Sprint Race winner Dino Beganovic was promoted to the podium.
In terms of the standings, only Crawford could cut his gap to Fornaroli. The American is now in second place, 19 points behind the Invicta Racing driver. Luke Browning and Dunne scored no points this Sunday, while Richard Verschoor finished ninth.
Championship position
Drivers
Points
1st
Leonardo Fornaroli
188
2nd
Jak Crawford
169
3rd
Luke Browning
161
4th
Richard Verschoor
149
5th
Alex Dunne
130
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As it happened
It was a clear start to the feature race Championship leader Fornaroli got off to a great start, overtaking pole sitter Jak Crawford off the line.
The Invicta Racing driver's compatriot, Mini, could also make a move on the American, but by the end of the lap, Crawford re-take second place.
Martinius Stenshorne also had a good opening lap, gaining three positions. However, the Norwegian's feature race debut ended on Lap 5, crashing into the barrier in Turn 1, causing a Safety Car.
As many drivers made stops in the pit lane, where Fornaroli lost three positions. Mini led a successful re-start, but once again, he was then overtaken by Crawford.
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The American's teammate and championship contender, Luke Browning, suffered a setback going off in Turn 4, while McLaren junior Dunne completed an ambitious move on Fornaroli, taking P4.
On Lap 13, the two drivers once again locked horns, with Fornaroli hitting the Irishman from behind into Turn 1. This pushed the Rodin driver down to P9. For this incident, the Italian received a 10-second time penalty by the stewards.
From Lap 20 onwards, Dunne also had a strong battle with Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad. After the Campos Racing driver defended well into Turn 3 two laps in a row.
Four laps later, the McLaren talent fell out of the points after locking up into Turn 15.
Joshua Durksen was also making his way up one by one throughout the race, and by Lap 27, he caught up to Crawford in the lead, however the Paraguayan could not get the move done and finished second.