With 45 minutes in front of them, the Formula 2 drivers get out on track early in F2 Free Practice. This is their only practice session for the day ahead of Qualifying this afternoon.
With the track already rubbered in from F3’s practice session earlier today, the drivers quickly get their flying laps on the board. Joshua Dürksen is the first driver to set a lap on the board with a 1:31.939. The young Paraguayan is hoping to repeat his success from last year’s Sprint Race victory.
Quick Changes in P1
The drivers are all revved up and ready to make the most of this practice session, as they all fight to top the timing screen. Dino Beganovic briefly goes to P1, but Dürksen quickly reclaims his spot with a 1:30.966. However, MP Motorsport’s Gabriele Minì quickly replaces the Invicta Racing driver as he crosses the line seconds behind Noel León. He narrowly goes faster than León by 0.009s with a 1:30.535.
Herta Crashes Out of Practice
An unfortunate start to the weekend for the ex-IndyCar driver as he hits the barrier at the exit of Turn 10. Debris is spread across the track as Colton Herta spins across the track after impact. A Red Flag is thrown up, and the drivers are brought back into the pits until the Hitech car is cleared.
Green Flag
The drivers can finally get back on track with 20 minutes left in the session. It is not long, but it is enough time for drivers to get the last few laps in before Qualifying. It is Minì who looks to be the one to potentially top this session as he puts yet another fast time on the board with a 1:29.493. He is showing strong pace in this session, over six tenths faster than P2.
However, new fastest times keep popping up on the timing screens as Beganovic and León take turns in P1. After the next round of laps, it is Tsolov who temporarily leads ahead of Rafael Câmara and Dürksen.
Minì Back on Top
With almost 10 minutes left in the session, Minì goes quickest with a 1:29.137, around four tenths faster than León in second and Câmara in third.
Another Red Flag!
After an adventure into the gravel trap, Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak finds the barrier at the exit of Turn 11. With this, the drivers are forced back into the pits until the damage is cleared.
With three minutes remaining in the session, the drivers are allowed back on track with enough time for possibly one flying lap.
And as the chequered flag waves for the conclusion of the session, it is Minì with the fastest time on the board. He is followed by Noel León (1:29.545) and Rafael Câmara (1:29.564). Qualifying will be later today at 2:55 local time.
Feature Image Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited