PREMA are the 2020 Teams’ title championships as both Vesti and Piastri secure podiums during an enthralling race in Monza.
After yesterday’s frantic Qualifying session, nine drivers found themselves with grid penalties for today’s race, including pole-sitter Theo Pourchaire. As a result of the multitude of penalties, Liam Lawson found himself on pole ahead of Matteo Nannini and Jake Hughes. Championship leaders Logan Sargeant and Oscar Piastri started in P5 and P15 respectively after the Australian driver was penalised.
As the lights went out, Lawson made a clean start ahead of Nannini and Hughes who battled for position. Previous pole-sitter Pourchaire made an excellent start, moving through the field at a rapid pace to take P3. The Frenchman then quickly advanced ahead of Nannini to seize P2 and began to pressure Lawson for the lead of the race. As the battle for victory intensified, Nannini and Hughes fought for the remaining podium position with the British driver winning out.
On lap 4, Pourchaire seized the lead of the race whilst Championship leader Sargeant fell further down the order and into the clutches of his PREMA teammates. As drivers found themselves in difficulty across the grid, Hughes initiated a battle with Pourchaire for the top step of the podium, overtaking the Hitech of Lawson in the process. Lawson then found himself under threat from Nannini who attempted an audacious move on the New Zealand driver resulting in damage to the Jenzer Motorsport.
Second Half
Soon after, Lawson once again became the victim of an ambitious overtake, this time instigated by Frederik Vesti who pressured the Hitech off the track and moved into P3. This closely fought battle moved David Beckmann into contention but the deployment of the safety car on lap 12 halted his progress. The incident between Vesti and Lawson was noted by the Stewards.
The deployment of the safety car occurred after the ART Grand Prix of Sebastian Fernandez entered the gravel trap after the Spanish driver lost control of his car at the Ascari chicane. Upon the restart, Vesti immediately moved ahead of Hughes whilst Lawson attempted to defend his position once again from Beckmann. Amidst all the chaos, in a moment that could prove pivotal in the 2020 Championship battle, Sargeant found himself falling to the back of the order after the American driver was spun round by Novalak.
Taking advantage of his rival’s misfortune, Piastri continued his movement up the pack, squeezing ahead of Alex Peroni on lap 19. Meanwhile, at the head of the race, Vesti continued to pressure Pourchaire, keeping the Frenchman in DRS range. Vesti ultimately caught Pourchaire on lap 20 whilst his teammate Piastri caught Liam Lawson and moved into P4. However, Piastri wasn’t finished yet, and before the end of the race, the Australian driver soared past Hughes to take the remaining podium position.
As the checkered flag fell, Vesti came home to take victory ahead of Pourchaire and Piastri both of whom fought impressively through the grid to take P2 and P3. As a result of today’s hectic race, the championship lead changes hands once again with Piastri now in control and eight points clear of Sargeant.
The performances of Vesti and Pourchaire secure the team championship for PREMA.
Results of the Top 10
1. F. Vesti PREMA
2. T. Pourchaire ART Grand Prix
3. O. Piastri PREMA
4. D. Beckmann Trident
5. J. Hughes HWA Racelab
6. L. Lawson Hitech Grand Prix
7. L. Zendeli Trident
8. B. Viscaal MP Motorsport
9. E. Fittipaldi HWA Racelab
10. M. Belov Charouz Racing Team
Featured Image Credit: @PREMA_Team Twitter
