Schumacher can't convert pole to victory as Ghiotto emulates Leclerc

Mick Schumacher was forced to settle for sixth place in the Bahrain sprint race, despite taking his first Formula 2 pole position for the race. Luca Ghiotto matched Charles Leclerc's achievement from this event in 2017, winning the race with a pit-stop.

Ghiotto missed out on victory in the feature race after a dreadful start from pole, but his UNI-Venturi team judged the strategy to perfection, fighting back through the field with fresh tyres to take victory.

The Italian had built a lead of six seconds before pitting – always a gamble in F2's short sprint races – but he carved his way back and the DAMS pair of Nicholas Latifi and Sergio Sette Camara had no answer, settling for the podium places behind.

Who else has deja vu? 😄

Two podiums apiece for these three drivers in 2019! 🏆🏆🏆#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F2 pic.twitter.com/WrFAl2Vj59

— Formula 2 (@FIA_F2) March 31, 2019

Schumacher had started well off the line, executing a trademark 'chop' reminiscent of his father on Jack Aitken.

However, the experienced trio of Sette Camara, Ghiotto and feature race winner Latifi reeled him in, with Schumacher offering little resistance.

Schumacher was back in the podium places after Ghiotto and Nyck de Vries pitted – while the Italian made his way back though, the Dutchman ended up seventh, just behind the German.

But Schumacher lacked pace towards the end and finished behind former Ferrari junior Guan Yu Zhou and Louis Deletraz.

Having recovered to second place in the feature race, Ghiotto showed his championship mettle with a strong win to secure top spot in the standings after the first round.

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