Franco Colapinto, a Williams Academy driver, achieved his first victory in an FIA Formula 2 race at Imola Sprint by overtaking Paul Aron from Hitech on the final lap. Colapinto, representing MP Motorsport, closely followed Aron throughout the race and made a daring move at Tamburello to secure his first win in just his fourth round as a rookie. Zane Maloney, the current championship leader, finished third on the podium, while several drivers were involved in accidents at the start of the race.
Prior to the 25-lap Formula 2 race at Imola, Amaury Cordeel from Hitech secured pole position on the reverse grid. However, due to a delayed start, the race began at 14:22 local time. Colapinto, starting second on the grid in his MP Motorsport car, was in a favorable position to challenge Cordeel. Sauber Academy driver Maloney started fifth for Rodin, with Formula 1 prospects from Prema, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman, in sixth and eighth, respectively. Gabriel Bortoleto, who set the fastest time in qualifying, started in tenth.
At the start, Aron managed to overtake Colapinto, who had a poor start, and took the lead ahead of his Hitech teammate Cordeel. However, chaos ensued behind them as several cars collided heading into the first chicane. As a result, the Safety Car was deployed and several cars were unable to continue the race. Stanek, Hadjar, Fittipaldi, Durksen, and Hauger were among the drivers involved in the incident.
Bortoleto, benefiting from the chaos, skillfully made his way through the wreckage and overtook Antonelli to secure sixth place. Antonelli, on the other hand, had a slow start and dropped to 12th. After five laps, the Safety Car was about to withdraw, with Aron leading the pack, followed by Cordeel, Colapinto, Maloney, Bearman, and Bortoleto.
Aron quickly extended his lead at the start of lap 6, leaving his competitors almost nine tenths of a second behind. Cordeel made a mistake coming out of Rovazza, allowing Colapinto to overtake him and forcing Cordeel to defend against Maloney. Aron continued to dominate the race, setting the fastest lap on lap 7 and maintaining a comfortable lead.
Colapinto, determined to secure a win in his debut season in F2, closed the gap to Aron and reduced his advantage by three tenths of a second on lap 9. However, Aron responded by reclaiming the fastest lap and maintaining a gap of approximately 1.8 seconds with 15 laps remaining. Colapinto, within the DRS zone on lap 13, was eager to challenge Aron for the win.
Meanwhile, Cordeel’s pace dropped, possibly due to tire wear, causing him to hold off Maloney, Bearman, Bortoleto, Taylor Barnard, and Richard Verschoor. On the final lap of the race, Colapinto made a brilliant move by going around the outside of Aron at Tamburello to take the lead and secure his first win in F2.
On lap 15, Aron and Colapinto were in close proximity, setting the stage for an intense battle for victory. As the race progressed, Cordeel and Maloney managed to create a small gap between themselves and Bearman and Bortoelto, resulting in three pairs of competitive duels among the top six drivers. Due to limited overtaking opportunities at Imola’s only DRS zone, the leading drivers held their positions with just five laps remaining. However, Maloney made a decisive move on lap 23, overtaking Cordeel on the outside of the Tamburello chicane to secure third place. On the penultimate lap, Colapinto launched a determined attack in an attempt to close the gap to the leader, Aron. Using DRS on the final lap, the Argentine skillfully maneuvered around the outside of Tamburello, taking the lead. Despite Aron’s dissatisfaction with Colapinto’s move, the latter held firm to claim his first F2 victory, leaving Aron in second place. Maloney put on an impressive performance, securing his fourth podium of the season in third place, while Cordeel, the pole sitter, finished fourth. Bearman successfully defended against Borteleto’s advances on the final lap, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Barnard delivered a commendable performance, crossing the finish line in seventh place, followed by Verschoor, Kush Maini, and Zak O’Sullivan, who completed the top-10.
© 2024
Portugal wins the Euro Cup for the second consecutive time
The Portuguese national football team made history by winning the Euro Cup for the second consecutive time. The Portuguese showed exceptional performance throughout the tournament and proved to be one of the best teams in Europe. With a combination of talent, determination, and strategy, Portugal defeated their opponents and brought home the coveted trophy.
The journey of Portugal towards victory was not easy. They faced strong and talented teams, but managed to overcome all obstacles. From the group stage to the knockout rounds, the Portuguese players showed skill and determination in every match. With a powerful attack and a solid defense, they stood out on the field and earned the respect of all.
The standout of the Portuguese team was forward Cristiano Ronaldo. With his incredible skill and inspiring leadership, Ronaldo was the tournament’s top scorer and played a key role in winning the title. His determination and dedication to the sport are admirable, and he is truly one of the greatest players of all time.
In addition to Ronaldo, other players also stood out in the Portuguese team. Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Diogo Jota were instrumental to the team’s success. With their talent and skill, they contributed with important goals and assists throughout the tournament.
Portugal’s victory in the Eurocup is a source of pride for the entire country. Portuguese fans celebrated in the streets and showed their unconditional support for the team. The title win is a testament to the talent and determination of the Portuguese players, as well as the hard work of the coaching staff.
Now, Portugal is preparing to defend their title in the next edition of the Eurocup. With a talented and experienced team, they have all the chances to win the three-peat. The Portuguese are confident and ready to face any challenge that may arise.
The Eurocup of 2024 will be remembered as a milestone in the history of Portuguese football. Portugal has once again proven to be a powerhouse in the sport and is determined to achieve even more success in the future. The nation is celebrating and the players are true national heroes. Congratulations, Portugal!
