ROAD TO F1: Ferrari junior Shwartzman takes victory in dramatic Belgian F2 race

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 30: Race winner Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing looks on in parc ferme during the sprint race of the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 30, 2020 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Two collisions stole the headlines in Formula 2 at Spa, and Robert Shwartzman benefitted from them both. The Ferrari junior clinched a third win of the season in the Sprint Race, and took the championship lead, ahead of team mate Mick Schumacher, and Renault junior Guanyu Zhou.

Fellow FDA member Callum Ilott had begun the day in first place in the standings, but suffered from a crushing retirement on the very first lap, after a coming-together with Yuki Tsunoda spun him to a halt on track and ended his race.

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 30: Race winner Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing, second place

Race winner Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing, second place Mick Schumacher of Germany and Prema Racing and Prema Racing mechanic Davide Canael celebrate on the podium during the sprint race of the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 30, 2020 in Spa, Belgium.

With Ilott out of contention, Shwartzman knew that the championship lead was on offer, but needed to keep the risk low, and the points high. His chances were boosted significantly when race leaders, and Williams’ academy pairing, Roy Nissany and Dan Ticktum collided from first and second.

This handed Shwarztman the lead from third, and the PREMA racer closed out a controlled victory from here. Mick Schumacher capped of a sublime Sunday for PREMA, sealing P2 and his second podium of the weekend, on a day when PREMA also took a one-two finish in Formula 3.

For more on F2, visit the official series website.

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ROAD TO F1: Ferrari junior Shwartzman takes victory in dramatic Belgian F2 race

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