FIA Formula 2 – DAMS LUCAS OIL SECURES POINTS FINISH IN HUNGARY
Budapest (HUN) JUL 19-21 2024 - Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. Jak CRAWFORD #7 Dams. © 2024 Dutch Photo Agency
DAMS Lucas Oil scored a points finish with Juan Manuel Correa in the Sprint Race on Saturday, showing strong race pace throughout the weekend at the Hungaroring.
Having qualified 19th, Correa fitted the hard tyres, which paid off in the latter stages of the event, as he moved up 11 places to secure the final points paying position, while Jak Crawford opted for the soft rubber, moving up 13 spots to finish just behind in 9th.
On Sunday, Correa and Crawford started on the soft tyre with both making six overtakes on the opening tour of the circuit, before pitting on Lap 7 as the Safety Car came out. However, a slow double-stacked pit stop and another intervention from the Safety Car late on allowed alternative strategy runners to close in, meaning the duo finished 16th and 17th respectively.
#8 Juan Manuel Correa
“I was pleased to pick up the final point in the Sprint Race, gaining 11 places certainly made for an entertaining afternoon. We started the Feature Race well but then during the first pit stop which frustratingly cost us several positions. We have a great race car, but we need to do better on a Friday to make sure we can score the big points throughout the event.”
#7 Jak Crawford
“The weekend started great with P2 in Free Practice, but in qualifying we missed the window for the soft tyres, meaning we failed to maximise our performance. It was a strong Sprint Race for both of us on different strategies, showing that our race pace is good as I only narrowly missed out on the points. We’ve got one round to go until the summer break, so we’ll try and finish on a high.”
Charles Pic, Team Owner
“It was another event when we had an impressive race car, as shown by both drivers, especially in Saturday’s event, but we missed out on the big points due to qualifying. We’re pleased with the recovery in the Sprint Race, for both drivers to make up so many places, with JM securing the final point. In the Feature Race, the Safety Car forced us to double stack the two cars, but JM stalled and Jak had to wait behind. It had been a positive start with both cars gaining multiple positions, but it was a very tricky race after that. We will aim to bounce back in Spa before the summer break next weekend.”
