DAMS Lucas Oil had a difficult return to FIA Formula 2 following the summer break at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Round 11 of the 2025 campaign.

A messy qualifying session with several stoppages would make it tough for the drivers to get a clean lap in, although Kush Maini showed his pace by clinching second. Battling straight-line speed issues throughout the weekend, a late red flag denied Jak Crawford the opportunity to improve on his time, leaving him in 11th.

Both drivers had solid starts in Saturday’s Sprint Race, fighting for position just outside the points. Alpine F1 Team Test and Reserve Driver Maini looked to go for a move around the outside of the high-speed Curva Grande, but was pushed off track by another driver and into the gravel. Crawford continued to battle hard, but struggled on the straights towards the end, eventually claiming 16th, ahead of teammate Maini in 18th.

Starting on the front row after his excellent qualifying effort, a tough start to the Feature Race saw Maini lose a few positions, before he was again pushed into the gravel on Lap 2, this time on the exit of Turn 2. Aston Martin F1 Reserve and Development Driver Crawford pitted for fresh tyres at the end of Lap 7, just minutes before a Safety Car intervention, allowing his rivals to gain time by taking their pit stops then. The American was able to pick his way through incidents at the restart, moving up into sixth place, although the lack of straight-line speed dropped him out of the points, eventually crossing the line 11th, with Maini 12th.

Formula 2 returns to action at Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan, for Round 12 on September 19-21.

Jak Crawford: “It was a tough weekend, with straight-line speed issues limiting our performance throughout. The car balance was good, and we had two solid races until the problem meant I lost some power and couldn’t compete on the straights. It’s a shame as we had potential for positive results in both events.”

Qualifying: 11th | Sprint Race: 16th | Feature Race: 11th

Kush Maini: “The pace was strong this weekend as we showed in qualifying. Two unlucky incidents in the races where I was pushed off track meant we were unable to score points, but I’m feeling positive heading into the final three rounds. Thanks to the team for their hard work and helping me feel comfortable in the car again.”

Qualifying: 2nd | Sprint Race: DNF | Feature Race: 12th

Charles Pic, Team Owner: “The weekend began well for us in Free Practice and qualifying, Kush had good pace and performed strongly to secure the front row start for the Feature Race. Jak did his best considering the top speed issue on his car, before a badly-timed red flag prevented him from improving in the final run. The Sprint Race was frustrating, with Kush pushed off track and Jak struggling with straight-line speed, meaning he was unable to overtake. In the Feature, Jak had a good start and we decided to pit early. Unfortunately, the Safety Car came out just after, so others gained an advantage. However, he was able to avoid incidents at the restart and move back into the points, but his recurring straight-line speed issues meant he couldn’t hold on. After a tough start for Kush, he was again pushed off-track and dropped places. We pitted under Safety Car to gain some time back, but he also narrowly missed out on points. A tough weekend overall for us, and we need to react in Baku as we approach the end of the season.”

Image: Dutch Photo Agency