Boschung and Caldwell will head into the penultimate round of the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship with in their Campos Racing-run Dallara F2 cars with their sights set on strong results
Campos Racing will head to Italy for a third consecutive weekend of FIA Formula 2 closely-fought action. The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza will host the thirteenth and penultimate round of the 2022 season this weekend with Campos Racing entering its duo of Dallara F2 cars for Ralph Boschung and Olli Caldwell. After a very narrow, twisty circuit like Zandvoort, Monza provides a completely different high-speed challenge. The Italian F1 Grand Prix will be the last event of the season on European soil as the F2 will move to Middle East in November for its season finale at Yas Marina Circuit.
After a difficult weekend in the Netherlands, Swiss Boschung will want to be in podium contention at Monza. Boschung, who had never raced at Zandvoort before, struggled a bit with his physical condition last weekend but he will be definitely back in form at Monza. Boschung scored a third-place finish on his return to the championship at Spa-Francorchamps driving his MoonMobile Dallara car. Early in the season, before his neck issues, he had stepped third onto the podium at Imola. Briton Caldwell made it into the points at Zandvoort by finishing eighth after a remarkable recovery driver from the back of the starting grid during Sunday’s feature race. It was the second race in the points-paying position for Caldwell as he finished sixth in Spielberg before the summer break. Monza, which Caldwell knows well, can be a fertile ground for the British racer.
It isn’t necessary an introduction for Monza, the third oldest racing circuit on the motorsport scene. From the very beginning, and despite some layout changes over the decades, Monza was a high speed track featuring long straights and fast corners, a perfect mix for drivers and fans. The Parabolica corner, Lesmo, Ascari or Rettifilio have become synonyms of motorsport itself. The car run in low downforce configurations and, despite medium asphalt abrasion, is quite stressful for tires due to its demanding fast corners and high mechanical grip. Traction is another key factor in order to be competitive at Monza. Slipstreaming isn’t just useful during the races but in qualifying as well. Normally, drivers are seeking a tow around at Monza in qualifying as can provide a massive boost in terms of time.
Free practice and qualifying sessions will take place on Friday at 10.25 and 18.30 respectively. Saturday’s sprint race is scheduled at 18.00 with Sunday’s main race, which includes a mandatory pit stop for tire change, taking place at 10.05. All times are CET.
Adrián Campos (Campos Racing Team Principal): “We hope that Ralph (Boschung) can be a bit better physically for this second-to-last round of the season at Monza. On the other hand, if Olli (Caldwell) can qualifying a bit better, sure he is able to be in points contention once again. Monza is traditionally a good circuit for because we achieved strong results there. We want to finish up the front this time as well.”
Ralph Boschung (Campos Racing driver of FIA Formula 2): “I’m looking forward to going to Monza. We had a strong pace last in qualifying and race. It’s a very nice circuit and for any racing driver it’s such a pleasure to race there. For sure, it’s a classic venue on the calendar. Our goal is to do the best possible job and hopefully to bring as many points as possible home for the team.”
Olli Caldwell (Campos Racing driver of FIA Formula 2): “I’m really excited to be back racing at Monza. It’s one of my favorite race tracks in the world as its racing history is unique. I’ve always achieved strong results there during my Formula 4 and Formula Regional days. I hope to keep my streak of strong results there with Formula 2.”
