Formula 2 report: Nikola Tsolov takes title lead with Silverstone clean sweep

Tsolov hasn’t had it all his way this season. The Bulgarian was spun out in Miami and Canada, costing him valuable championship points. But there was no such bad luck in Britain. He piled pressure onto the sprint and feature race leaders before making late passes for maximum points. 

Though the spotlight normally shines on F2’s longer races, this weekend’s sprint could turn out to be the defining moment of the season. Tsolov arrived on the rear wing of rival Gabriele Mini just a few laps from the end. Mini seemingly had him covered, only to lock up, cede the position, and lose his title lead. 

After going joint top in the standings, Tsolov then won again in the feature race, becoming the first driver to win three F2 races back-to-back and opening up a 17-point lead on sixth-place Mini. Tsolov said he was “over the moon” in the post-race presser. So he should be! He’s in top form—and surely knocking on the door of Formula 1. 

Initially, the Silverstone sprint race looked like Mini’s to lose. He started P1 on the reverse grid, leading Rafael Villagomez, who had overtaken Super Formula star Ritomo Miyata, through the opening corners. As Miyata fell through the field, John Bennett ran into Sebastian Montoya, causing a safety car. 

It was clumsy from both drivers; Montoya got a little bit of air on the kerbs at the exit of the final corner. This fired him into the gravel trap. Bennett tried taking avoiding action, only to follow and rear-end him! It was a real shame, considering they were fighting for sprint victory just a week ago in Austria.

On the restart, Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak lunged past Roman Bilinski for P7, Tsolov snatched P2 from Villagomez on the way into Stowe, and Kush Maini took P4 from Josh Durksen. Things also got untidy further back, as Nico Varrone spun Martinius Stenshorne while they battled Colton Herta for P16. 

As the laps ticked by, Tsolov closed on Mini. He tried to pass twice at Stowe, but Mini had his elbows well and truly out. It was only a mistake at Village that allowed Tsolov to pounce and pull an incredible overtake on the Wellington Straight. It was a big final-lap move that sealed a decisive win for his championship chances. 

In Sunday’s feature race, Tsolov made another excellent start, launching from P5 to P2 on the opening lap. Maini, who has looked much better of late, also made up places, taking Alex Dunne and Rafael Camara for the lead. Polesitter Camara then struggled to fight off Dunne for P3, appearing to drive him off track. 

Rather than risk a penalty, he gave the position back. It turned out to be an important pass, as the Formula 3 champion couldn’t really challenge thereafter. Following a clash between Montoya and PREMA teammate Mari Boya, the frontrunners then pitted. Tsolov failed to leapfrog Maini, but he stayed right with him. 

A lively-looking Inthraphuvasak took P5 on fresh rubber as the leaders slowly closed on the alternative strategy runners. This allowed Tsolov to line up Maini and grab P1 on the outside of Copse. It was pretty brave stuff and required a compliant Maini, fair play to him! But those pitting onto the softs still had a role to play in the closing stages. 

Villagomez emerged from the pits in an effective P4, behind Dunne, a notoriously difficult customer. Despite this, he managed to make his way past the Irishman, as well as Maini, for an impressive P2 finish. Villagomez closed on Tsolov, but he was a bit too far ahead, and a statement double victory was secured.