Armaan fifth in F2's Monza race

Pushed to the back of the grid after a disappointing qualifying session, Indian driver Armaan Ebrahim jostled through to an impressive fifth-spot finish in the FIA Formula Two Championship race in Monza.

Armaan, who was hit by traffic in the second qualifying session, clocked 31:04.955 in the main race.

His qualifying didn't go too well but Armaan had a good start in the race, rising three places in lap one and then passed another eight cars in the next 12 laps.

As he overtook one driver after another, Armaan's rear wheel was broken in half. But lady luck came to his rescue and the wheel did not collapse, allowing Armaan to complete the last lap and fend off the cars behind him.

"We were right on top in practice 1 and qualifying 1. Qualifying 1 could have been better had a car not spun in front of me on my hot lap. Q2 was looking good as was on P2 and on critical lap. I hit traffic which completely ruined the most critical lap and as a result I was 16th of the grid," he added.

Prior to the race, Armaan posted the fourth fastest time in the practice session.

In race 1, Armaan got hit by Brit Dean Stoneman in the first lap and the car went spiralling into the gravel which ended his race immediately.

Other Indians in fray, Parthiva Sureshwaren (31:14.268) and Ajith Kumar (32:18.205) signed off 10th and 15th respectively.