Luke Browning converts maiden pole into first F2 victory at Monza
Round 11 - Monza - Report
Luke Browning delivered a sensational performance at Round 11 of the FIA Formula 2 Championship, converting his maiden pole position from Friday into his first F2 victory in the Feature Race at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The Hitech TGR driver kept his focus throughout the stop-start 30-lap race to take a commanding win, significantly boosting his championship challenge.
The Williams Academy driver made a strong start from pole, immediately pulling clear of the pack and controlling the opening laps of the race. After briefly losing the lead, he fought back with a well-timed overtake on Lap 19 to reclaim first place. When the pack tightened several times under Safety Car conditions, Luke remained composed and defended against several challenges in the final stages of the race before pulling out an insurmountable gap.
After seven podiums earlier in the season, Luke finally got to stand on the top step – a moment that seemed almost inevitable after top-3 finishes at Melbourne, Sakhir, Imola (2), Monaco, Silverstone, and Spa-Francorchamps. From the very first race, he has been consistently in the fight, and victory at Monza marks a key turning point in his campaign.
Luke Browning:
“This one feels big – and almost like redemption after last year. We came here in F3, six points off the lead, and lost it after contact in the final race. To come back, put it on pole and win it the following year feels amazing. These kind of high-pressure situations are for me.”
“Hitech did a fantastic job today. I love this place – the fans, the atmosphere – it really is special. Now to continue the good form and stay focused for the remaining rounds.”
Teammate Dino Beganovic also had a strong weekend, scoring points in both races and finishing P6 each time. Among the standout moments in Sunday’s Feature Race, he made a decisive move down the inside of Mini on lap 26, then became locked in an exciting battle with Fornaroli in the closing laps. Those crucial overtakes not only helped Dino secure more points for himself but also helped the team gain ground in the Teams’ Championship.
Luke’s victory propels him up to second in the Drivers’ Championship, closing the gap to the leader to just 21 points. He took a massive 28 points from the weekend – including the maximum 27 from Sunday’s Feature Race (for the win and pole position) and one additional point from Saturday’s Sprint. It marks a season-best haul and could prove decisive in the title fight.
With six races remaining, he is back in contention and has a real shot at the title. Meanwhile, Hitech TGR climbs to second in the Teams’ Championship, cutting the gap to the top to just 32 points.
Dino’s strong result – which included a point for Fastest Lap in the Feature Race – also moves him back into the top 10 in the Drivers’ Championship, as he continues to build in the second half of the season.
With just three rounds to go, the championship now heads to some of the most intense and technical circuits on the calendar – where every point will count as the title battles reach fever pitch.
