Durkson dominates F2 opener

Joshua Durkson has given AIX Racing the opening win of the FIA Formula 2 Championship in dominant style at Albert Park.

It a stop-start affair Durkson was untouchable and cruised to a commanding 2s triumph over Leonardo Fornaroli.

Fornaroli led a congested train for second that also featured Luke Browning, Richard Verschoor and Roman Stanek, who rounded out the top five.

There was little movement at the front, but there were little racing laps with numerous incidents slowing the Sprint Race down in hot conditions.

When lights went out there was a strong start from all the leaders as Durkson jumped Fornaroli to take the lead into turn 1 as Browning settled into third.

But it was on behind them as Verschoor, Stanek and Martins went three wide into the opening corner and it was never going to work.

Martins was forced to take a tour of the grass, but this was just the start of his issues.

Two laps later Martins’ race was over completely as a mistake at Turn 5 proved costly.

He ran offline and could not catch it, whacking the outside wall side on.

The French ART star could only make it to the following corner before pulling over, sparking the Virtual Safety Car.

Jak Crawford was another retiree, with the DAMS Lucas Oil driver suffering mechanical gremlins.

Dino Beganovic pulled off an impressive move around the outside of Stanek at Turn 11 for fifth.

Another intense battle was for 12th as Goethe and Dunn went at it across the final sector and the MP Motorsport driver prevailed.

But all racing was soon put on pause again on Lap 7 when the full Safety Car was required to retrieve Max Esterson.

Esterson had a wild and high speed 360 degree spin at Turn 7 and was beached in the sand.

The race resumed at around the half distance mark on Lap 11 and Durkson nailed the restart, immediately rebuilding his advantage over Fornaroli as the field settled into single file.

But by the end of the lap things escalated with Dino Beganovic spinning after going off line at Turn 9. 

Whilst he avoided contact with the barriers and others, he slumped from fourth to 17th.

One driver that was not so lucky was Sami Meguetounif, who also rotated, but found the wall and the gravel trap.

This created the third stoppage in just 14 laps and destroyed Durkson’s 2s lead.

But he immediately rebuilt his advantage during the seven-lap sprint that then followed.

Ritomo Miyata put himself on the back foot instantly by finding the gravel on the exit of Turn 12.

Having earlier pulled doff a nice move on Pepe Marti, Mini carried on his attack against PREMA teammate Sebastian Montoya.

But he soon got stuck in a DRS train that was headed by Fornaroli in second place.

None of the leaders could make a move for the rest of the race as Durkson flew to the chequered flag.

The F2 Feature Race will be held over 33 laps at 11.30 AEDT Sunday morning.

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