Shwartzman wins as Schumacher upholds F2 title bid

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Robert Shwartzman took a dominant fourth win of the season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship in Bahrain on Sunday, where Mick Schumacher extended his lead over Callum Ilott ahead of next weekend's finale despite a poor showing.

The series' sprint race was a messy affair for both Schumacher and Ilott, with the German hampered by a set of fading tyres finishing P7 while the Briton deprived himself of crucial points after a clumsy run-in with Jehan Daruvala, a move that may end up costing him dearly in the championship battle.

While Schumacher gained 2 points over Ilott, the Prema charger lost ground in the standings to fellow Ferrari junior Shwartzman and Nikita Mazepin.

Next weekend will see all four drivers and Yuki Tsunoda gunning for glory on Sakhir's outer loop, but the odds remain stacked in favour of Schumacher.

It looks like we'll need to wait another week before the Haas F1 Team confirms its 2021 line-up!

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.