Formula Two Valencia - Robert Wickens Takes Victory Again

Robert Wickens took a lights to flag victory in the second race of the FIA Formula Two Championship in Valencia this afternoon capping a perfect weekend for him.

Italian Mirko Bortolotti finished in second, with 19 year old Austrian Philipp Eng taking the final podium position.

There was disappointment for Swiss female racer Natacha Gachnang who tangled with Alex Brundle on the opening lap - causing her immediate retirement.

Jolyon Palmer was tapped into the gravel and retired from the race on lap one and Lithuanian Vasiliauskas went off after making contact with Jousse in a battle for eighth place. He later returned to the circuit at the back of the field, but was still able to clock up the fastest lap of the race. Definitely one to keep an eye out for in future races.

Henry Surtees finished 12th.

FIA F2 Round 2 - Valencia, Spain Results

1st - Robert WICKENS (CAN) - 25:22.024 - 17 laps
2nd - Mirko BORTOLOTTI (ITA) - 25:27.935 - Gap +5.911
3rd - Philipp ENG (AUS) - 25:29.905 - Gap +7.881
4th - Andy SOUCEK (ESP) - 25:30.639 - Gap +8.615
5th - Nicola DE MARCO (ITA) - 25:31.804 - Gap +9.780
6th - Mikhail ALESHIN (RUS) - 25:33.731 - Gap +11.707
7th - Edoardo PISCOPO (ITA) - 25:35.625- Gap +13.601
8th - Carlos IACONELLI (BRA) - 25:38.640 - Gap +16.616
9th - Tobias HEGEWALD (GER) - 25:40.850 - Gap +18.826
10th - Julien JOUSSE (FRA) - 25:43.601 - Gap +21.577

Robert Wickens Takes First Victory in Formula Two

Canadian Robert Wickens, a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, has won the first Formula Two race to take place in 25 years after a lights to flag victory in Valencia.

Carlos Iaconelli was second and Lithuanian Kazim Vasiliauskas was an impressive third after starting from P9 on the grid.

Henry Surtees finished seventh and Alex Brundle eighth.

TOP TEN FOR RACE 1 - FIA F2 CHAMPIONSHIP VALENCIA, SPAIN - 23 LAPS

1st - Robert WICKENS (CAN) - 37:03.621
2nd - Carlos IACONELLI (BRA) - 37:07.491 Gap +3.870
3rd - Kazim VASILIAUSKAS (LIT) - 37:08.862 Gap +5.241
4th - Mikhail ALESHIN (RUS) - 37:12.175 Gap +8.554
5th - Julien JOUSSE (FRA) - 37:13.543 Gap +9.922
6th - Mirko BORTOLOTTI (ITA) - 37:14.525 Gap +10.904
7th - Henry SURTEES (GBR) - 37:14.940 Gap +11.319
8th - Alex BRUNDLE (GBR) - 37:15.947 Gap +12.326
9th - Nicola DE MARCO (ITA) - 37:16.534 Gap +12.913
10th - Sebastian HOHENTHAL (SWE) - 37:17.597 Gap +13.976

Formula 2 kicks off at Valencia this weekend

After an absence of 25 years, the new FIA initiated Formula Two championship will kick off in Valencia this weekend (29th - 31st May).

In June 2008, the FIA announced that MotorSport Vision (MSV), operators of the world famous Brands Hatch circuit, had won the tender to supply chassis and engines for the 2009 Formula Two Championship.

The Championship will comprise of eight events in Europe between the months of May and November taking place at famous circuits including Valencia, Brands Hatch and Imola.

There will be two races per weekend - each will be 110km long (around 40 minutes) - with the second race to include a mandatory pit stop. Two 30-minute practice sessions and two 30-minute qualifying sessions will precede both races.

The cars have been designed and built by Williams Grand Prix Engineering and are powered by a 1.8L turbocharged Audi engine giving 400 BHP rising by a further 50 BHP when a boost button is deployed. The cars are expected to reach speeds in excess of 180 mph.

The Championship has been conceived by the FIA as a way for talented young drivers with a limited budget (season cost = £ 195,000) to race in a top level series and showcase their skills.

The international field consists of 25 drivers with an average age of only 21 years. Three sons of former F1 drivers are included in the line up - Henry Surtees (son of former F1 World Chamion John), Alex Brundle (son of BBC F1 commentator and former driver Martin) and Jolyon Palmer (son of MSV owner and former F1 driver Jonathan).

For more information about the Championship, please click here