F2 Ends 2024 Season with Drama, Triumph, and Heartbreak in Abu Dhabi

Relive the dramatic finale of the 2024 Formula 2 season at Yas Marina: Duerksen’s maiden win, Bortoleto’s championship triumph, and heartbreak for Hadjar in an unforgettable showdown.

Feature Race Drama: Duerksen’s Win, Bortoleto’s Triumph

The 2024 Formula 2 season came to a dramatic conclusion at Yas Marina, with the championship fight between Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar delivering tension until the end.

Separated by just 0.5 points heading into the final race weekend, their duel mirrored iconic title showdowns in motorsport history.

Hadjar’s stunning comeback in recent rounds had brought him within striking distance of the Brazilian. Still, a terrible start in the Feature Race dashed his hopes, leaving Bortoleto to capitalise on his rival´s misfortune and clinch the championship.

Dominance from Martí: Sprint Race Triumph at Yas Marina

Yesterday’s Sprint Race saw Josep María Martí deliver a flawless performance, turning a fourth-place start into his maiden Formula 2 victory.

Martí capitalized on a dream start, rocketing to the lead before Turn 1.

A fierce battle between Gabriel Bortoleto and Kush Maini for second allowed Martí to open a comfortable gap, leading every lap to take the chequered flag.

Martí reflected on his victory:

“Obviously super happy to get the win here at Yas Marina for the Sprint Race. It was a great start from P4, and from there it was about pacing myself and avoiding mistakes.” – Josep Marti.

Bortoleto finished second, extending his championship lead to five and a half points over Isack Hadjar.

Paul Aron, despite securing third place for his ninth podium of the season, was mathematically eliminated from the title fight ahead of the Feature Race.

Antonelli Sidelined: A Weekend to Forget

Kimi Antonelli’s weekend ended before it began, as the young talent was forced to withdraw from both the Sprint and Feature Races due to a sudden illness.

A heartbreaking conclusion to a promising season, Antonelli’s absence deprived fans of another potential contender in the action-packed finale.

Feature Race Showdown: Duerksen Seals Victory, Bortoleto Claims the Crown

The Feature Race provided heart-stopping moments as Gabriel Bortoleto secured the 2024 Formula 2 Driver’s Championship in his rookie season.

Joshua Duerksen claimed a well-earned victory, showcasing incredible composure as he managed the lead late in the race.

Bortoleto’s start was electrifying, surging past pole-sitter Victor Martins to take the lead. However, his early pit-stop strategy allowed Duerksen to emerge ahead.

Despite relentless pressure, Duerksen maintained his advantage to secure his second Formula 2 win.

Invicta Racing´s Double Triumph

Bortoleto’s P2 finish sealed the championship for both himself and his team, Invicta Racing, marking back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2 for the Brazilian sensation.

With this, Invicta Racing also claimed the Teams’ Championship for the first time, narrowly holding off Campos Racing, who reduced the gap to 25.5 points over the weekend.

Midfield Spotlight: Beganovic’s Breakthrough and Aron’s Recovery

Dino Beganovic had reason to celebrate, earning his first Formula 3 podium in the Sprint Race. The Prema Racing driver’s consistent performance under pressure highlighted his growth throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Paul Aron faced a challenging weekend. After being disqualified from the Sprint Race due to a technical infringement, he started the Feature Race from the pit lane.

Despite this setback, Aron showcased his grit, climbing to finish just outside the points.

Championship Hopes Stall at the Start

The Feature Race began with immediate drama as championship contender Isack Hadjar faced a disastrous start.

Lining up third on the grid, the Red Bull junior stalled as the lights went out, leaving him stranded as the rest of the field surged ahead. His car was wheeled into the pit lane, where his team frantically worked to get him back on track.

By the time he rejoined, Hadjar was at the back of the field, effectively ending his championship hopes.

Despite a valiant effort to fight his way through the pack, the Frenchman could only manage a distant finish, leaving Gabriel Bortoleto unchallenged in the title race.

The heartbreaking moment highlighted the fine margins of motorsport, as a single mechanical misstep unravelled what had been an incredible championship campaign for Hadjar.

Championship Close-Up

Gabriel Bortoleto becomes the latest driver after Oscar Piastri to go back-to-back in FIA F3 and F2, claiming the Championship in his rookie seasons. He ends 2024 on 214.5 points in P1.

Isack Hadjar finishes as runner-up with 192, with Paul Aron third on 163. Zane Maloney is P4 on 140 with Jak Crawford fifth on 125 points.

Bortoleto reacting to his championship win:

“F2 Champion… Thank you for everyone supporting me this season. Couldn’t be happier than I am right now. Congratulations to Joshua for his first Feature Race win. Super proud, now let’s enjoy. Obrigado to all the Brazilian fans and I’ll see you in F1.” – Gabriel Bortoleto.

Invicta Racing won the Teams’ title to make it a sweep in 2024 on 288.5 points. Campos Racing finished second with 254, while MP Motorsport finished third with 220.5 points.

The 2024 Formula 2 season will be remembered for its breathtaking finale. Bortoleto’s championship-winning campaign was a masterclass in consistency, with his performance echoing the intensity of the 2021 Formula 1 title fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

With the curtain falling on the season, fans are left anticipating what promises to be an equally thrilling 2025.