Europe 1 with AFP 9:08 p.m., March 5, 2023

In the shadow of Formula 1, driver Théo Pourchaire won the first Formula 2 Grand Prix in Bahrain.

The Frenchman, reigning F2 world vice-champion, thus takes the provisional lead in the general classification and intends to confirm his good 2022 season.

The French Théo Pourchaire, vice-world champion in Formula 2, won, in the shadow of Formula 1, his first victory during the opening round of the season on the Sakhir circuit, in Bahrain.

Starting from pole position, the 19-year-old driver, from the Alfa Romeo F1 youth section, dominated the race from start to finish, winning with nearly 20 seconds ahead of his pursuer, the Swiss Ralph Boschung. (Campos Racing).

Barbadian Zane Maloney (Rodin Carlin), third, completes the podium.

Boschung had won the day before in the sprint race, which was shorter and brought in fewer points.

Pourchaire had finished 5th from 10th place.

But, thanks to his victory on Sunday, the Frenchman takes the lead in the championship with 32 points, four ahead of Boschung (28).

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Four French in Formula 2

This season, four Frenchmen are engaged in F2, the antechamber of Formula 1. Among them, Victor Martins (Art GP), Formula 3 champion last season, was forced to retire on Sunday after a collision at the start of the race .

He had finished 3rd the day before in the sprint race for his F2 debut.

Other tricolors present in F2, the young Isack Hadjar (Hitech, 18) finished 7th in the main race and Clément Novalak (Trident) 13th.