Joshua Dürksen Shines at Monza in FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race
Joshua Dürksen achieved a remarkable feat by securing his third podium finish of the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season during the Sprint Race held at the iconic Monza circuit. Starting from the fourth position on the grid, Dürksen’s journey in this race was nothing short of eventful, embodying the exhilarating nature of Formula 2 racing.
A Rocky Start Turns into a Thrilling Race
The Sprint Race at Monza unfolded in true F2 style, packed with intense action and unexpected incidents. Dürksen faced challenges right from the start, as a less-than-ideal launch off the line dropped him to sixth place. He encountered difficulties navigating the Della Roggia Chicane, further complicating his race strategy. Despite a turbulent season where he had only managed to score in five races, Dürksen’s resilience shone through as he fought hard for a top finish with the AIX Racing team.
In a post-race interview with InsideF2’s Aaron Harper, Dürksen expressed his satisfaction with the result, emphasizing the effort he had put into recovering from a challenging beginning: “I’m very happy to be honest. Last year we were strong in Monza; we knew that if we replicated our performance, we would be competitive again this year.”
A Competitive Qualifying Session
Dürksen’s journey to the podium began with a strong performance in Friday’s qualifying session. He managed to secure seventh place, marking his seventh top-10 result in qualifying for the season. “I was happy to be in the top 10,” he commented. “Qualifying in Monza can be quite volatile; you can either be at the front or at the back in just one lap. Being in the top 10 gave me a solid chance for the races.”
Starting from fourth position in the race, Dürksen experienced a rough start but quickly focused on regaining positions. “Although I didn’t have the best launch, I was able to recover places quickly,” he said. “We were really pushing hard, making some mistakes along the way. I think I managed to overtake quite a few competitors on the track.”
Strategic Overtaking and Race Tactics
Throughout the race, Dürksen found himself in a relentless battle with fellow driver Dino Beganovic. The race took an unexpected turn when a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed to assist with recovering a stranded car. This incident occurred after Max Esterson’s vehicle suffered a significant engine failure with just four laps remaining. The introduction of the VSC led to a critical situation for Beganovic, who was penalized with a five-second time penalty for infringing the VSC rules. This penalty ultimately elevated Dürksen to the third position on the podium.
Reflecting on his intense duel with Beganovic and the strategies he employed during the race, Dürksen shared, “When I attempted to overtake Meguetounif, he defended fiercely, causing us to lose valuable time to the leaders. I had to push as if I was in qualifying every single lap just to close the gap.”
Dürksen’s tactical approach involved capitalizing on the DRS system to make up time on the straights while pushing hard in the corners. “The other drivers had DRS, so I needed to find time in the corners. Gradually, I began to catch up to them until I could enter their DRS zone and attempt to pass Beganovic,” he explained.
As the race progressed, tire management became a crucial factor, adding another layer of complexity to his performance. “The tires started to degrade, making things a bit trickier, but Monza always delivers thrilling racing,” he noted.
Looking Ahead: Goals for Consistency
Dürksen’s performance during the 2025 season has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and challenges. In his reflections, he identified consistency as a key area for improvement moving forward. “For sure, I want to be more consistent; that’s crucial for accumulating points and competing for the championship,” he stated. “We’re pushing really hard, and I think we’re still discovering where the optimal performance lies.”
He acknowledged that while pushing the limits is essential, it can sometimes lead to mistakes. “There were races where we simply didn’t have the pace, and we couldn’t identify the underlying issues,” he added. “Improving consistency is definitely one of my goals, and we are actively working towards that.”
Conclusion
Joshua Dürksen’s journey in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season continues to be an exciting narrative filled with challenges, growth, and achievements. As he reflects on his performance in Monza, his determination to improve and build on his successes will undoubtedly shape his future races. The combination of strategic racing, tire management, and consistent performance will be key as he aims for even greater heights in the coming events. With the support of his AIX Racing team and his unwavering commitment to excellence, Dürksen is poised to make a significant impact in the remainder of the season.
