Nikola Tsolov continues dominant form taking F2 Feature Race win at Silverstone

Credit: Formula 2 via Facebook

Championship leader Nikola Tsolov restated his dominant form to take the Feature Race win at Silverstone becoming the first driver to take three consecutive wins in Formula 2.

The Red Bull Junior who took the Sprint Race win on Saturday impressed again in the Feature Race as a favourable start off the line propelled him into podium contention after starting in the third row. Rafael Villagomez had a strong race overall to come in second after making a penultimate lap overtake on Kush Maini who came in third.

How it happened

Shortly before the formation lap began, a technical issue for Martinius Stenshorne ruled him out of the race as his car was unable to be repaired before race start.

As the race began it was an unexpected shake up at the front of the grid as a charging start from Maini allowed him to take the lead. Close behind he was followed by Tsolov who climbed from sixth to second.

Alex Dunne who started alongside pole-sitter Rafael Camara forming the front row both had unfavourable starts finding themselves in third and fourth respectively rounding out the first lap.

In Lap 6 the majority of the grid came into the pits for a tyre change, and whilst a close call between Maini and Camara could have impacted the Alpine-backed drivers advantage on Tsolov, Maini remained ahead.

Meanwhile, with the leading pack into the pits, Rafael Villagomez who started on hard tyres became the new race leader.

In Lap 11, in the midfield DAMS driver Roman Bilinski showed impressive pace taking 13^th position from Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak. Bilinski continued to chase Camara, closing the six-second gap that separated the back and front halves of the grid.

Into Lap 12, Villagomez created a nearly five-second lead to Invicta driver Joshua Durksen who was holding steady in second. The Van Amersfoort driver continued to extend his lead through Lap 13 offering him an advantage come his tyre change.

Meanwhile, Maini held the fastest lap come Lap 14 as he widened the gap to Tsolov.

Come Lap 15 at the back of the field Sebastian Montoya continued in his attack on Rimoto Miyata but had to hold back to defend Ferrari Junior driver Dino Beganovic.

On Lap 16 Maini and Tsolov made their way up the field both passing AIX driver Cian Shields.

A yellow flag was called temporarily in Lap 17 for Montoya after running wide off the track, however he was able to rejoin the race and retreat into the pits. He later retired shortly before Lap 19. Damage was sustained after contact with teammate Mari Boya earlier in the race.

In Lap 19, Tsolov found pace behind Maini finding himself within 0.3 seconds and DRS of the pink Alpine livery in front.

Maini maintained strong defence through Lap 20 and 21, however the Bulgarian found a brave gap around the outside of Maggotts and Becketts to make the overtake.

In Lap 22 it was wheel-to-wheel between Beganovic and Miyata with Beganovic putting heavy pressure on the Hitech driver ahead. However, Miyata maintained his position.

In Lap 23 the drivers who were yet to have a tyre change began to enter the pits allowing the former race leaders who pitted earlier in the race to retake the lead.

With three laps remaining Tsolov retook the lead five seconds ahead of Maini, Dunne, Camara and Villagomez.

In Lap 28, Villagomez passed Maini to take up second.

Tsolov crossed the line in first, taking his third race win in a row and his sixth overall for the season extending his championship lead. He was followed by Villagomez in second and Maini in third to finalise the podium.

What’s next

With Tsolov leading the championship, the 2026 Formula 2 championship season will continue in Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for Round 8 from the 17-19 July.