TSOLOV HANDED FIVE-PLACE GRID PENALTY FOR HUNGARY FEATURE RACE
Nikola Tsolov will start Sunday’s FIA Formula 2 Feature Race from 12th on the grid after receiving a post-race penalty following the Sprint Race at the Hungaroring. The Campos Racing driver was found responsible for the collision with Sebastián Montoya that ended both drivers’ races on the opening lap.
The incident happened in the opening corners of the Sprint Race when Tsolov attempted an aggressive move on Montoya. The two cars made contact, causing race-ending damage for both drivers and immediately ending the championship leader’s race. The stewards reviewed the clash after the race and issued Tsolov a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision.
Because Tsolov did not finish the Sprint Race, the 10-second penalty could not be applied to his race time. Under the FIA Formula 2 Sporting Regulations, the penalty was instead converted into a five-place grid drop for the next race. Tsolov had qualified seventh for the Feature Race, meaning he will now line up 12th on the grid on Sunday.
The penalty is a significant setback in the championship fight. Tsolov arrived in Budapest leading the standings, but his retirement allowed title rival Gabriele Minì to take victory in the Sprint Race, score the fastest lap and reduce the gap in the Drivers’ Championship. What could have been a points-scoring weekend for the Bulgarian has now become one where he must recover from the midfield in the longer Feature Race.
The Feature Race offers more points than the Sprint, with 25 awarded to the winner, making Sunday’s race one of the most important of the season. Starting from 12th instead of seventh will force Tsolov to overtake several rivals if he wants to limit the damage in the title battle and maintain his championship advantage heading into the next round.
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