JOHN BENNETT DENIED BEST EVER FIA FORMULA 2 FINISH FROM BRILLIANT MONTREAL SHOWING

British racing star John Bennett showed what he was made of with his most impressive performance to date in the FIA Formula 2 Championship in Montreal, despite bad luck costing him the results he clearly deserved this past weekend (23/24 May).

The Salisbury-based racer ventured to another circuit new to himself and indeed the FIA F2 Championship, as the feeder series joined the Formula 1 paddock in front of huge crowds flocking to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island in Montreal.

After a solid performance in free practice, it was the crucial qualifying session where Bennett really shone. An impressive display throughout only got better in the closing moments, as the Trident driver pumped in a lap time of 1:21.821 - just 0.3s from pole position - that put him a great seventh overall in the times, as well as fourth for Saturday's sprint contest.

That Saturday, Bennett was determined to bring home a strong result as reward for his Friday efforts. Settling into a top six position in the opening 10 laps, all looked well for the former GB3 vice-champion. Unfortunately, he was denied the points that were heading his way after rival Nikola Tsolov made a mistake under braking for the hairpin, hitting Martinius Stenshorne into the back of Bennett's Trident car which spun the Brit into retirement, through no fault of his own. Tsolov was later penalised for his part in the incident.

Bennett focused his attentions on getting that result on Sunday in the longer race, starting from an elevated fourth on the grid after penalties for other drivers. It started under tricky greasy conditions as rain had threatened, and Bennett slotted himself into a safe fifth place after battling with Rafael Villagomez early on.

That soon became fourth once again after a crash for the race leader up ahead, which set up a flurry of pitstop activity as all cars dived to the lane for their mandatory stops. However, it was at this point where Bennett's race unravelled, as he was waved out into the side of Villagomez's car - the resulting contact proving enough to put Bennett out of the race when a leading result was within his grasp.

John Bennett: "What can we say, other than it's a very frustrating way to end what should have been our best results in FIA Formula 2 to date. We were hooked up as a team around this circuit, and we went into the weekend's races in great shape and looking to score points and maybe even more. In the first race we were hit while minding our own business, then in the second it was looking really good for myself until we had the collision in the pits. It's a really positive sign however, and we have to take optimism and potential forward as we're getting quicker each time."

Bennett is next in action in two weeks time (06/07 June), as the FIA Formula 2 Championship kicks off the European leg of the calendar around the world-famous streets of Monaco.

Images from Dutch Photo Agency.