In a very chaotic Formula Regional European Championship race 2 in Monza, Jamie Chadwick was back in the mix for a top-6 before she was crashed out again by a competitor.
British upcoming talent Jamie Chadwick was protagonist of a more uplifting performance on Saturday’s first Formula Regional European Championship race in Monza when, after a disappointing qualifying, she could charge back to a P6 before being hit at the Roggia chicane. Chadwick took the chequered flag in 10th, but she was nonetheless confident about a better Sunday at the Italian venue after showing good progress pace-wise.
In a very compact F.Regional field, Jamie was always in the mix and battled for the whole race for sixth place, which left her optimistic for the remainder of the weekend.
In the early morning’s second race in a slightly foggy Monza, Jamie lined up tenth on the grid alongside Gillian Henrion on the fifth row.
After a flawless weekend so far, Patrick Pasma (KIC Motorsport) started again from pole and led the field into the famous first chicane. Oliver Rasmussen slotted in second and was again the best of the Premas, with his teammates Petecof and Leclerc right behind.
Jamie Chadwick had a good start and initially moved up to ninth, but she then dropped at the back of the pack after the first lap scraps. She immediately started to make up positions and passed Cola into Parabolica on the second lap, just as Rasmussen went for the move at Turn 1 on the leader Pasma but had to back off.
The Finn defended well and soon opened a small gap on the Prema drivers. Chadwick overtook Pesce and went on the hunt of Nico Gohler - the German subbing in for Juri Vips at KIC Motorsport. In clear air, Chadwick’s pace proved again to be on par with the top six-placed cars and she joined a small train of fighting competitors.
Arthur Leclerc attacked Petecof as the leading duo could break away. In a heated battle for third, the championship contenders almost made contact in more than an occasion. Meanwhile, Rasmussen had found pace to catch weekend dominator Pasma before the first Safety Car was deployed for an incident between Henrion and Pasce at Parabolica which sent the French driver into the gravel trap.
Chadwick had already attempted several moves on Gohler but her chances came at the restart on lap 7, when chaos broke loose: Rasmussen briefly got ahead of Pasma into La Roggia chicane, but the Finn switched back and restored positions.
The fight between the championship contenders ended in tears for both the Prema drivers: Leclerc made contact with Petecof and damaged his front wing, while the Brazilian picked up a puncture and was forced to pit.
From a huge group of cars in the midfield, Konsta Lappalainen emerged in third place, followed by the Van Amersfoort duo and Jamie Chadwick - who had jumped ahead of Gohler at Parabolica.
When the German came back at La Roggia, he cut through Jamie’s racing line into Lesmo 1. With no space to go, the two made contact and crashed into the barriers.
In another unfortunate end of race 2, Chadwick couldn’t find the result she deserved.
After another lengthy Safety Car, the green flag waved again with a little over 2 minutes left on the clock. At the restart, Rasmussen challenged Pasma into the first chicane but then had to defend from the return of Konsta Lappalainen.
Both Leclerc and Petecof dropped at the back of the field - the Monegasque ultimately coming to a stop for a technical issue.
At the end of the final lap, Patrick Pasma crossed the finish line in first but there was more drama awaiting: what seemed like an all-Scandinavian podium was disrupted by a penalty for the race leader due to a Safety Car restart infringement.
Oliver Rasmussen thus took victory, denying KIC Motorsport of a back-to-back win in Monza. Lappalainen was second, while Van Amersfoort’s Pierre Louis Chovet finished third. After the penalty, Patrick Pasma was demoted to fourth place.
As the Prema mechanics are currently working on the crashed #55 Rodin-sponsored Tatuus F3 car, she now looks forward to finally capitalize on her pace in today’s third race, which will start at 14:50 CEST (13:50 BST).
