It was a cold, yet dry start to the day as the drivers prepared for day two of Formula 2 testing, ahead of the 2026 season.
Tumbling Times
An early red flag was waved as Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak suffered a spin.
Dino Beganovic was the first driver to put a time on the board with a 1:26.025 for DAMS Lucas Oil.
He improved to a 1:25.877 ahead of John Bennett and teammate Roman Bilinski.
With half an hour completed, Laurens van Hoepen then led the pack with a 1:25.811 for TRIDENT.
However, MP Motorsport were suddenly the team to beat, with Gabriele Mini setting a 1:25.346. Teammate Oliver Goethe slotted into second place just 0.015s behind.
A Period of Disruption
Van Hoepen was the first driver into the 1:24s, dipping down to a 1:24.210 on the Soft tyres.
Just minutes after, the red flag was waved once again as Bennett had spun and stopped on the track.
After the short stoppage, 1:23.793 was the new benchmark, set by Goethe.
However, the session was once again disrupted after Mini had come to a stop at Turn 12.
Soft Tyre Runs Continue
2025 FIA Formula 3 champion Rafael Camara put Invicta Racing in P1 for the first time today, logging a 1:23.630.
Alex Dunne slotted into second, just 0.026s behind.
Inthraphuvasak was the next driver to improve into P2, 0.018s down on the leader.
Noel Leon suffered from a spin into the gravel at Turn 9, resulting in the fourth red flag of the session.
Afternoon Movement
Martinius Stenshorne was the first to complete a lap in the afternoon session, setting a 1:31.084 for Rodin.
Camara promptly returned to the top with a 1:29.544, with Nikola Tsolov in P2 for Campos Racing.
Joshua Durksen comfortably went fastest of anyone so far with a 1:27.463, making it an Invicta 1-2.
A Focus on Long Stints
Long runs were the aim of the afternoon session, with the drivers focusing on building up the mileage with track conditions ideal.
Colton Herta was the next driver to bring out the red flag, going off at Turn 4.
With an hour remaining, Durksen went comfortably quickest once again with a 1:25.363 as he went out on the Soft tyres.
Dunne improved to P2, whilst Camara ensured it was an Invicta 1-2 once more, setting a 1:27.021.
Mari Boya was the final driver to cause the return of the red flag, finding the gravel at Turn 4.
Formula 2 testing continues tomorrow at 9am local time.
Featured Image Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited