The opening F2 Feature Race of the season in Melbourne delivered a spectacle of high drama and unexpected outcomes, ultimately culminating in a dominant performance by the series’ newest talents. Amidst a chaotic race marked by penalties, collisions, and mechanical failures that sidelined many frontrunners, it was Nikola Tsolov who masterfully navigated the challenges to secure a maiden victory. The event also saw remarkable charges through the field, with Gabriele Minì climbing from outside the top 20 to an impressive eighth, and IndyCar prospect Colton Herta battling from 14th to seventh in his F2 Feature Race debut. However, the day truly belonged to the rookie class, as 2025 F3 vice-champion Nikola Tsolov claimed the top spot, joined on the podium by 2025 F3 champion Rafael Câmara in second, and fellow newcomer Laurens Van Hoepen in third.
Nikola Tsolov’s Maiden F2 Triumph
Exhibiting exceptional composure, Nikola Tsolov etched his name in history as the first Bulgarian driver to win an F2 race. His victory was a testament to his controlled driving and strategic tyre management, which paid dividends when an incident involving the RODIN teammates ahead of him cleared his path to the front. Tsolov reflected on the race, stating, “Well, the race was a bit messy, but I knew from the start that I managed to warm up my tyres pretty well… And then after lap one, being in third, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll just stay back and try to see how the race unfolds, and then we’ll have them later with the strategy.’ But then, obviously, the two RODINs were very eager to stay in front and stay ahead of each other. So I let them do their thing, which ended up in an incident.”
Reigning F3 Champion Rafael Câmara Makes His Mark
Following a stellar 2025 season where he clinched the Formula 3 championship by topping qualifying and the Feature Race in his debut, Rafael Câmara has clearly carried his winning momentum into F2. His second-place finish in Melbourne signals a strong start to his rookie F2 campaign, hinting at the potential for another championship run. Câmara expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I would say it was a very positive start to the championship. Especially after yesterday, I was very close to getting a podium, and I think getting P2 today, I’m quite happy. It was a clean race, and I’m happy to end the weekend like this…Quali almost ruined everything because I saw that after the Red Flag, it was quite a big mess to open the lap… But yeah, I think we managed to just keep it in the top 10; that was good enough to fight for points.”
A Confidence Boost for Laurens Van Hoepen
While Laurens Van Hoepen’s previous Formula 3 season may not have been his most memorable, his F2 debut weekend has certainly ignited his confidence. Earning points in Saturday’s Sprint race (albeit reduced) and securing a third-place podium finish today propels the Dutch driver to third in the championship standings. For a driver who began both races outside the top ten, these results are a significant boost as he looks ahead to the next round. This podium also marks TRIDENT’s first in F2 since 2024, raising hopes for a promising 2025 season for the team. Van Hoepen shared his excitement: “Super happy. I think we had a really good race starting from P11 for sure. Wasn’t really expecting to be on the podium, but I think the team and I did an amazing job. Pit stops were really good from the team as well. We managed to drop a position there and then. Also, the pace was pretty strong. I mean, we’re able to keep the guys behind and also even at some point catch Nico and Rafa in front.”
The Dawn of the Next Generation
The Melbourne Feature Race emphatically showcased the prowess of the F2 rookies, proving that this rising generation of drivers is more than ready to contend for future F1 seats. Nikola Tsolov, reflecting on the all-rookie podium, affirmed, “We’re a good generation coming for sure. I never doubted that I would share a Podium with Rafa. Especially, you know, we were both in teams that were fighting for the championship last year.”
Formula 2 is scheduled to return for Round 2 in Bahrain on April 10th.
