Tsolov Inherits Monaco F2 Victory After Camara's Late-Race Crash

Nikola Tsolov inherited an unlikely victory in the Monaco Formula 2 Feature Race following a dramatic late-race retirement from long-time leader Rafael Camara. The Campos Racing driver, who had maintained position near the front throughout the event, was promoted to the lead when Camara locked up into Turn 1 and was forced out, giving Tsolov his third win of the 2026 season and a maximum 25-point haul.

Why it matters:

The outcome delivers a significant swing in the Formula 2 championship fight at one of the most unforgiving venues on the calendar. Camara had looked set to extend his series lead with a commanding drive, but his mistake allowed Tsolov to close the gap and reinforce his status as a serious title contender. In a category where margins are slim and momentum is critical, converting a likely second place into maximum points could prove decisive later in the year.

The Details:

• Unexpected Lead Change: Rafael Camara controlled the Feature Race from the front for the majority of the distance, only to lock up at Turn 1 and retire in the closing stages. The error handed the lead directly to Nikola Tsolov.
• Podium Finishers: Alex Dunne steered his Rodin Motorsport machine to a solid second place, securing his fourth podium of the season. Dino Beganovic rounded out the top three, delivering another consistent result for DAMS Lucas Oil.
  • Alternative-strategy runners featured prominently further down the order. Kush Maini stretched his stint deep into the race to climb to fourth, while Martinius Stenshorne finished fifth.
• Herta's Difficult Afternoon: Colton Herta struggled to find pace on the streets of Monte Carlo and ran towards the rear of the field for much of the race. The Hitech driver was later hit with a 10-second time penalty for a Virtual Safety Car infringement, capping a frustrating weekend for the American, who remains linked with the incoming Cadillac F1 operation.

What's next:

The Formula 2 championship swiftly moves on to Barcelona next week, where the high-speed, aerodynamically demanding Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya awaits. The Monaco result leaves the title fight finely poised, and teams will be eager to gather fresh data and rebound from the unique challenges of the Principality as the season intensifies.