Fornaroli's F2 Title in Question Amidst Qatar GP Investigation
Leonardo Fornaroli provisionally won the 2025 Formula 2 title in Qatar, but an ongoing investigation could delay his championship coronation. If a penalty is issued to Arvid Lindblad, Richard Verschoor could mathematically remain in contention, forcing Fornaroli to score a point in Abu Dhabi to secure the title. The pending decision keeps the championship battle alive, adding significant anticipation to the season's conclusion.
Leonardo Fornaroli provisionally claimed the 2025 Formula 2 title at the Qatar Grand Prix after finishing second in the feature race. However, his championship celebration is on hold due to a pending investigation.
Why it matters:
Fornaroli's potential F2 championship marks a significant milestone in his career, following his F3 title win the previous season. However, the pending investigation means the title fight could extend to the final race in Abu Dhabi, adding dramatic tension to the championship conclusion and impacting potential F1 aspirations for the contenders.
The details:
- Fornaroli, driving for Invicta Racing, was provisionally crowned champion after his closest rival, Jak Crawford, failed to score points in the Qatar feature race.
- The championship status is in flux because if Arvid Lindblad receives a time penalty, Richard Verschoor would gain a position, keeping him mathematically in contention for the title.
- Should this scenario unfold, Fornaroli would need to secure at least one point in the upcoming Abu Dhabi race to definitively claim the championship.
- Victor Martins secured the feature race win in Qatar, with Alexander Dunne completing the podium.
Race Incidents:
- The feature race at Losail International Circuit began after a ten-minute delay.
- Martins quickly took the lead from Fornaroli at the start, moving up from second on the grid.
- Rodin driver Dunne also gained a position early, reaching fourth place.
- Early pit stops began on Lap 7 for Fornaroli and Dunne. Dunne later received a five-second penalty for an unsafe release, similar to Nikola Tsolov.
- Oliver Goethe's car stopped on Lap 15, deploying the safety car and impacting strategies, particularly those on hard tires. Red Bull talent Arvid Lindblad, despite half the race remaining, pitted for soft tires under the safety car.
- Dino Beganovic, on an alternative hard-tire strategy, led for a significant portion before his mandatory stop on Lap 27, dropping him to P12. Martins reclaimed the lead thereafter.
- On Lap 27, Dunne executed an impressive overtake on Lindblad on the start-finish straight.
- Martins ultimately won the race, ahead of Fornaroli and Dunne.
What's next:
The outcome of the steward's investigation will determine if the F2 title fight continues to the final round in Abu Dhabi. All eyes will be on the official ruling, which could either confirm Fornaroli as champion or set the stage for a thrilling championship decider.