F2: Mercedes junior driver Antonelli secures maiden victory in Silverstone Sprint race

Mercedes-backed Prema driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden FIA Formula 2 victory in the toughest of conditions in the Silverstone Sprint race. F1Technical's lead journalist Balazs Szabo reports on the first Silverstone race.

After a Formation Lap behind the Safety Car, racing got underway with a rolling start with heavier rain closing in quickly. Starting from the reverse pole position, Antonelli retained his lead from Zane Maloney and Kush Maini.

However, there was a big battle behind the leading trio with Gabriel Bortoleto, Jak Crawford and Oliver Bearman battling it out for P4. The Ferrari junior picked up damage to his front wing with one of the endplates flying off the wing.

The McLaren junior made a sensational move on Crawford, going through around the outside of Aston Martin junior driver at Maggots and Becketts.

In the meantime, the rain started to come down heavily. Virtual safety car was deployed to clear the endplate of Bearman's front wing.

Although the VSC was quickly withdrawn, on Lap 4, the safety car was deployed as conditions worsened. Just moments later, the race was stopped due to the intensity of rain. The stoppage enabled Prema to change the front wing on Bearman's car.

Shortly after the action got going again, there was drama again. Paul Aron, Josep Maria Martí and Isack Hadjar were battling for position and the former two made contact. The championship leader was forced to retire from the race which was his first DNF of the season.

Hadjar, who took over Sergio Perez's car in the opening F1 practice session yesterday, went off at Corpse all by himself, and was also forced to retire from the action.

The safety car was deployed for the second time. On the first lap after the restart, Bearman went off at Corpse and he dropped to P18. Just a few laps later, Bearman pulled to the side of the circuit on the Hangar Straight to bring out another Virtual Safety Car.

When the action continued, Antonelli already had a big lead while second-placed Zane Maloney was under immense pressure from both Invicta cars.

Maini and Bortoleto were pushing each other all the way on the last two laps, and the Brazilian overtook the Indian driver for P3. However, the McLaren junior driver was handed a post-race time penalty for overtaking off the track and gaining a lasting advantage.

At the front, Antonelli was uncatchable, and the Italian won his first F2 race by over eight seconds to Zane Maloney in second.

Commenting on his maiden F2 victory, Antonelli said: “Got my first win, really happy with the result. It was a difficult race in difficult conditions, but we managed pretty well and I’m really happy to bring home the first win of the season.”

Aron and Hadjar's retirements have closed up the standings in the Drivers’ Championship. The Hitech Pulse-Eight driver leads the way on 117 to the Campos Racing driver’s 108. Gabriel Bortoleto closes in on the pair, now on 91 points in third. Zane Maloney is fourth on 83, while Franco Colapinto moves onto 79 points in fifth position.

Over in the Teams’ Standings, Invicta Racing take over the lead on 148 points, while Campos Racing and MP Motorsport are now tied on points with 143 apiece in second and third places. Hitech Pulse-Eight are just one point back in fourth, while Rodin Motorsport round out the top five spots on 102.