No heroics into Sainte Devote? F2 youngsters didn’t get the memo

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Moments after lights out in Monaco’s F2 feature race on Sunday morning, chaos erupted as pole-sitter Alex Dunne and front-row rival Victor Martins decided Turn 1 was the perfect place to settle things – spoiler: it wasn’t.

A clumsy squeeze into Sainte Devote sent both into the barriers faster than you can say “Monaco madness,” triggering a chain-reaction pile-up of 11 cars. Yes, eleven.

Wheels flew and carbon crunched as Monaco’s most iconic corner turned into a proper East London scrapyard. Meantime, Martins fumed over team radio - “Who does he think he is, Max Verstappen?”.

After a lengthy clean-up and a second restart, DAMS’ Jack Crawford took the win.

‘No heroics into Ste Devote’ is the golden rule. But try telling that to a grid full of F2 young guns with something to prove on motorsport’s glitziest stage…

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.