Misfortune for Armstrong as Lawson picks up points

Marcus Armstrong is left to rue what if after a mechanical failure had him retire from the lead in the second Formula 2 Sprint Race in Abu Dhabi.

Armstrong started from pole position and established a comfortable advantage up front before the race’s first safety car neutralised running.

The Kiwi continued to lead at the restart before the safety car was deployed for a second time moments later.

When racing resumed, Armstrong soon peeled to one side of the road. Engine issues ruled him out of the race and cost him a chance at a second race win.

“Epic…,” Armstrong sarcastically wrote on social media afterwards.

Liam Lawson survived an early scare when Oscar Piastri nearly shovelled him into the outside wall at turn seven.

Lawson dropped back to eighth but recovered to finish sixth.

Piastri was dealt a five-second penalty but would later retire after a collision with Juri Vips.

Guanyu Zhou capitalised on Armstrong’s misfortune to win the race.

Robert Shwartzman was second, while Ralph Boschung rounded out the podium.

There is one more feature race to conclude the 2021 season.

Lawson starts seventh, and a solid haul of points could vault him ahead of Jehan Daruvala in the championship.

Armstrong starts 11th and still has a realistic chance of finishing the year up near the top ten in the standings.

That race starts at 10 pm NZT tonight.