General
Maloney wins season opener in Formula 2, Antonelli at the back
- Ludo van Denderen
Zane Maloney (20) established himself as a leading contender for the title in the first race of Formula 2. The Stake F1 reserve driver climbed from eighth starting spot to first in Bahrain, thanks in part to a nice overtaking move on first Enzo Fittipaldi and later on the then frontrunner Jak Crawford. Pepe Marti, a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, finished third behind the pair.
Maloney - who won his first race in F2 - and Crawford were also part of the Red Bull academy until last season, but they were thanked for services rendered. They found new employment with Stake F1 and Aston Martin respectively, and this new environment apparently gave them both new energy.
As in qualifying, Prema Racing's performance stood out. The Italian team have two of the biggest talents on the F2 grid, but they found themselves in the rear. Seventeen-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli - who is said to be in the picture to succeed Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season - came to 14th place. His teammate Oliver Bearman, a reserve driver at Ferrari and Haas, finished two places behind.
Getting used to new generation of F2 cars
In Formula 2, drivers have been driving a new generation of cars since this season. All cars are the same, but in terms of set-up there is a difference. It looks like Prema does not have things right (yet) at the moment. Maloney's Rodin Motorsport, on the other hand, has the new car well under control straight away.
Results Formula 2 sprint race in Bahrain
