Formula 2: Minì claims victory in Miami Feature Race

Written by Teagan Strachan

Credit: Formula 2 via Instagram

After the decision to move the inaugural Miami Feature Race to Sunday morning due to weather conditions, the 22-car grid lined up to start the final race of Round 2 for the Formula 2 season. As drivers reverted to their qualifying positions it was a fight to claim top spot, with Kush Maini starting in pole alongside Rafael Câmara to secure the front row.

How it happened

To start off a very wet race in Miami, Maini was strong off the start, securing the lead into Turn 1. Câmara who started in second, was slow start off the line conceding his position.

In the middle of the pack, Laurens Van Hoepen struggled to gain momentum as lights went out with Nikola Tsolov taking avoiding action from the semi-stationary car. The unfavourable start for Tsolov continued into Turn 1 when a collision with Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak ended his race prematurely.

With a safety car called out, an unusual incident saw Maini and Câmara miss the mandatory pit lane drive through, which was to be investigated after the race.

To begin Lap 4, a miscalculation from Oliver Geothe saw him hit the barrier at the restart, rolling to a halt at the exit of Turn 3. Debris from his front wing saw another yellow flag called.

In Lap 5, there was a fierce battle between INVICTA Racing ‘s Câmara and Joshua Dürksen, with the former holding onto second position.   

Another battle loomed close behind between Dino Beganovic and Gabriele Minì for fourth, with Beganovic proving successful with an overtake out of Turn 3. Meanwhile, Maini was holding strong in the lead with a three second gap ahead of the field.

In Lap 9, all battles were drawn to an end with Dunne breaking late out of Turn 17, resulting in him coming to a stop and another safety car called.

What could have been a strategic pitstop for Rafael Villagómez was short lived as he came to a standstill in the pitlane, ending his race. Pitlane drama continued as a strong tyre change from INVICTA allowed Câmara to take the lead ahead of Maini.

Shortly after a strong restart from both now-leader Dürksen a fourth yellow flag was called after a collision between Nicolas Varrone, Van Hoepen and Martinus Stenshorne. Whilst Van Hoepen and Varrone rejoined the field, it marked the end of the race for Stenshorne and Rodin Motorsport.

As the green flag was called and racing commenced once again, a battle-to-be between Beganovic and Câmara was ended shortly after a mistake in Turn 7 and 8 from Cian Shield which saw him spin out, resulting in a virtual safety car.

Upon restart, seven drivers were now out of the race, leaving 15 remaining to close out the final laps.

With one minute remaining, Beganovic made a strong move on Câmara, and intense wheel-to-wheel action commenced in Miami.

Amidst the action, a small collision and mistakes from both Câmara and Beganovic allowed for a three-car battle between the front runners and Minì, Beganovic came out ahead, followed by Minì in second and Câmara in third.

A wide run from Beganovic saw Minì steal the lead, successfully charging to the front of the field into the final lap.

In the final lap, Minì held his position to find the checkered flag in first, rounding off a successful weekend for MP Motorsport. Beganovic was second to find the line, followed by Câmara, finalising the podium. Noel León finished fourth with polesitter Maini, in fifth.

What's Next?

F2 is set to return to North America for Round 3 in Montreal, Canada from the 22-24 of May, continuing the 2026 championship battle.