F2 Australian GP 2026 Feature Race: Tsolov Takes Historic First Win In Melbourne

Nikola Tsolov turned the F2 Australian GP 2026 Feature Race into a breakthrough moment at Albert Park. The Campos Racing driver controlled the race after early chaos between the Rodin teammates handed him the lead. From there the Bulgarian managed the Safety Cars, the strategy phase and the late pressure to secure his first FIA Formula 2 victory. Rafael Câmara finished second for Invicta Racing while Laurens van Hoepen completed the podium for TRIDENT.

Key Points – F2 Australian GP 2026 Feature Race

• Nikola Tsolov claims his first FIA Formula 2 victory for Campos Racing in Melbourne.
• Early contact between Rodin teammates Dunne and Stenshorne reshapes the race.
• Câmara finishes second for Invicta Racing after late pressure on the podium fight.
• Van Hoepen secures third for TRIDENT with fastest lap for points.
• Varrone briefly leads on the alternative strategy before a pitlane speeding penalty.
• Beganovic retires after strong early pace while running inside the top four.

Race Recap – Start And Early Phase

Martinius Stenshorne launched well from the front row and grabbed the lead into Turn 1. Behind him, the fight immediately turned inward. Rodin teammate Alexander Dunne attacked into the opening sequence and slotted into second while Nikola Tsolov climbed to third for Campos Racing.

Further back Noel León’s race unravelled almost immediately. Contact with Oliver Goethe damaged the Campos car and dropped him down the order.

Lap 2 brought the first flashpoint. Dunne dived to the inside of Stenshorne at Turn 11 and the two Rodin drivers ran side by side through the following corners. The fight continued down the straight on Lap 3. Dunne drew alongside again but contact between the pair ended both races instantly.

Both cars limped to the runoff. Race over for Rodin.
Tsolov suddenly inherited the lead.

The Safety Car was deployed to recover the stricken cars and reset the field.

Strategy Window And First Stops

Racing resumed at the end of Lap 5 with Tsolov controlling the restart. Câmara settled into second while Dino Beganovic held third as the field settled into its first rhythm.

Sebastián Montoya triggered the strategy phase on Lap 7, diving into the pits for Soft tyres. Beganovic followed a lap later from third. The stop dropped the DAMS driver into the pack but with warm tyres he quickly began carving forward.

The leaders reacted on Lap 10. Tsolov and Câmara both pitted together and rejoined still running one-two.

Beganovic meanwhile was flying. The Ferrari Academy driver sliced past van Hoepen and Goethe before closing rapidly on the leaders. A sharp dummy into Turn 9 on Lap 14 put him fourth and hunting the podium fight.

Then the race swung again.

Safety Car And The Alternative Strategy

On Lap 17 Beganovic slowed suddenly and pulled off the circuit. The DAMS car required recovery which triggered a Virtual Safety Car, quickly upgraded to a full Safety Car.

That timing played directly into the hands of Nico Varrone. The Van Amersfoort Racing driver had stayed out on the alternative strategy and used the neutralisation to make his stop for Supersoft tyres while retaining the lead.

It looked like a clever gamble.

It lasted only minutes.

Race Control handed Varrone a 10-second penalty for speeding in the pitlane during the stop. The strategy suddenly had a ceiling.

Restart And Final Phase

Racing resumed on Lap 22 and Tsolov wasted no time.

Into Turn 3, he dived past Varrone to retake the effective race lead. Câmara could not follow him through the move, which allowed the Campos driver to open a small but important buffer.

Behind them the podium fight tightened. Câmara cleared Varrone into Turn 11 on Lap 27 to secure second while Laurens van Hoepen and Oliver Goethe began circling the struggling Argentine driver.

Lap 29 broke the stalemate.

Van Hoepen forced his way past Varrone into Turn 9. Goethe followed moments later into Turn 11. The TRIDENT driver now held the final podium place.

Further back Ritomo Miyata was charging late. The Hitech driver passed Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak before clearing Varrone for fifth on Lap 30.

Out front there was no drama left to write.

Tsolov managed the gap and crossed the line to claim his first FIA Formula 2 victory and become the first Bulgarian driver to win in the championship.

Câmara finished second with van Hoepen securing third.

Provisional Race Result

Standings Snapshot

Coffee Corner Take

Tsolov’s victory never felt chaotic once he inherited the lead. The race changed around him. Rodin’s clash removed two early contenders. Beganovic’s charge threatened briefly before ending in smoke. The strategy gamble from Varrone looked dangerous until the penalty arrived.

Through all of it Tsolov stayed calm.

The restart on Lap 22 was the decisive moment. The move into Turn 3 killed the strategic threat and gave him the clean air he needed. From there it became a measured drive to the flag.

Câmara did exactly what Invicta needed on the opening weekend. Second place. Strong points. No unnecessary risk.

Van Hoepen’s podium was earned the hard way. He stayed in the fight through every phase and the fastest lap bonus turned a good result into a strong one.

Further back Miyata quietly produced one of the strongest drives of the afternoon. Hitech’s pace came alive in the final stint and his late overtakes showed the car had real tyre life.

The bigger story sits with Rodin. Dunne and Stenshorne colliding on Lap 3 removed what looked like genuine race-winning pace from the front of the field.

Round one closes with Campos on top, Tsolov leading the championship and the rookie class already shaping the season narrative.

Melbourne rarely produces a quiet Feature Race.
2026 was no different.