Virtuosi driver Jack Doohan claimed victory within the season-closing Feature F2 race as ART Grand Prix racer Theo Pourchaire completed solely P5, however it was sufficient for the Frenchman to seal the Championship title.
Jack Doohan led the way in which initially of the race, increase a niche of 1.3s from Kush Maini by Lap 4. The title contenders Theo Pourchaire and Frederik Vesti hardly made any progress in comparison with their lowly beginning positions.
Three laps later, drivers began to dive into the pits to carry out their obligatory tyre change. Pourchaire and Ayumu Iwasa have been the primary ones to go for an early tyre change, switching to the Medium compound.
The subsequent lap noticed Oliver Bearman, Jack Crawford and Kush Maini come into the field for a contemporary set of mediums. Ferrari’s junior driver Bearman emerged simply forward of Pourchaire, however he was unable to fend off the assaults of the Frenchman on his chilly tyres.
Just a lap later, Zane Maloney, Isack Hadjar and Dennis Hauger fed into the pits for his or her obligatory tyre swap with race chief Doohan deciding to field on the subsequent lap.
On the contemporary tyres, Pourchaire set the quickest lap of the race on Lap 11. At the entrance, Victor Martins held a 28-second lead over Doohan, who rejoined the observe in P10 following his tyre change.
DAMS driver Arthur Leclerc was additionally on another technique, having began the race on the yellow-banded rubber. The Monegasque discovered himself in a promising P6 on Lap 15, however he was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the observe and gaining a bonus.
On Lap 18, Bearman encountered technical points and was pressured to limp again into the pits. However, he couldn’t convey the automotive again to the quick lane and pulled off initially of the pits and the pit lane entry was closed as a end result.
The pit lane was reopened two laps later, however Vesti nonetheless waited for his cease. The Dane driver lastly boxed on Lap 24 for brand new tyres, and rejoined the observe in P9, simply behind his championship rival Pourchaire.
A lap later, Leclerc additionally pitted which noticed Doohan regain the lead of the race. In the meantime, Vesti and Pourchaire fought arduous on the observe with the Dane having loved grip benefit on his contemporary tyres whereas the Frenchman having been keen to remain in entrance of his rival.
However, the Mercedes junior driver darted previous the Alfa Romeo junior driver on Lap 27. Vesti gave his all, and charged his well beyond Iwasa three laps later.
On Lap 30, the digital security automotive was deployed after Joshua Mason parked up along side the observe. The VSC was shortly withdrawn, and Leclerc continued his cost by the sphere on his contemporary tyres.
Vesti tried one final overtaking manoeuvre on Maloney, however each ran deep into Turn 9, and made contact. The Dane may proceed, however the Barbadian driver spun round.
In the meantime, Doohan received the race, 3.8 seconds forward of Martin whereas Vesti accomplished the rostrum. Iwasa got here dwelling fourth, forward of Pourchaire, who claimed the title together with his fifth-placed end. Leclerc moved his manner up the order with some sensational late strikes to complete P6, adopted by Hauger and Hadjar with Maini and Crawford citing the rear of the highest ten.
Our final Feature Race prime 10 of the season 🇦🇪
Full end result 👉 https://t.co/qLgyAl7LUL#AbuDhabiGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/ie2EmcREsx
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) November 26, 2023
Commenting on his sixth F2 victory, Doohan stated: “Great to complete off my F2 marketing campaign with a win. It was a difficult race in the long run, I don’t assume that option-prime was splendid, however we made it work and have been capable of preserve the tyres alive at an important stage within the race and produce dwelling a win.
“To log off like this with Invicta Virtuosi Racing, I couldn’t be happier. Looking ahead to the longer term and massive kisses and hugs to all you F2 supporters and to all of those that’ve supported us the final two years, I’m so, so grateful for it and I’m already lacking you guys.”
Pourchaire claims title
Théo Pourchaire is the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ Champion with 203 factors. Frederik Vesti finally ends up 192 factors adrift in second after his big comeback effort, whereas Jack Doohan’s victory lifts the Invicta Virtuosi Racing driver as much as third within the final standings, ending up on 168 factors.
Iwasa ends his F2 profession fourth general on 165, whereas Victor Martins’ P2 end leaves him as the highest-placed rookie, fifth within the Drivers’ Standings on 150.
ART Grand Prix are Teams’ Champions for the primary time of their F2 historical past, ending up with 353 factors. PREMA Racing find yourself on 322 factors in second, with Rodin Carlin third on 220 factors.
