Japanese driver Ritomo Miyata delivered a breakthrough performance in the Formula 2 sprint race at the newly‑opened Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Madrid, taking his first victory in the category. The win, confirmed by Formula1.com, came after a tightly contested sprint that saw Miyata overtake his rivals in the final laps to cross the line first.
How the race unfolded
Miyata started the sprint from third on the grid, behind pole‑sitter Théo Pourchaire and second‑placed Oliver Bearman. The opening lap was uneventful, but the middle stint saw the Japanese rookie steadily close the gap to the leaders, benefitting from a clean tyre strategy and consistent lap times. On lap 12, Miyata made a decisive move into Turn 9, passing Bearman on the inside and then challenging Pourchaire for the lead. A brief duel ensued, but Miyata’s superior exit speed out of the corner allowed him to pull ahead and maintain a slim margin to the finish.
Pourchaire, who had led most of the race, faded in the closing stages after a minor lock‑up that cost him valuable time. Bearman recovered to finish third, securing a podium for the British youngster. Miyata’s victory marks his first win in any FIA‑sanctioned single‑seater series, having previously shown promise in the Formula 4 and Formula Regional categories.
Implications for the championship
The sprint win awards Miyata three points, boosting his standing in the drivers’ championship and providing a morale lift ahead of the feature race later in the weekend. While the sprint does not carry the same weight as the main race, the momentum could prove crucial as the F2 calendar moves toward its marquee events, notably the Monaco Grand Prix and the upcoming British round at Silverstone.
Team ART Grand Prix, Miyata’s outfit, praised his composure and racecraft, noting that the win reflects the team’s continued development program for young talent. "Ritomo showed great maturity today, managing his tyres and executing a perfect overtaking move at a critical moment," said ART’s team principal in a post‑race briefing.
For Indian fans
The Madrid sprint race started at 14:30 IST, and the feature race will follow at 18:00 IST on the same day. Indian viewers can watch both sessions live on FanCode, which holds the streaming rights for the FIA Formula 2 Championship in India. Miyata’s win adds another storyline to follow as the championship heads into its European leg, and Indian F2 enthusiasts can track his progress alongside the likes of Jehan Daruvala, who remains a key figure for the home crowd.
Source: Formula1.com
