Gabriele Minì takes pole position for the F2 2025 Australian Grand Prix in a crazy session. A session that saw many rookie drivers outperforming their more experienced rivals.
It is set to be a very competitive session for F2. However, the teams to watch remain DAMS Lucas Oil, Rodin Motorsport and Trident Motorsport due to the penalty awarded today.
Green Track ahead
The track is fully green, with all twenty-two cars out on track for the first Qualifying session in 2025.
With all cars on the track, everyone is trying to get the best track position. With PREMA’s Sebastian Montoya stating “It’s a race out here.”
There is a brief yellow flag intermission as Max Esterson makes contact with Ollie Goethe. Esterson is unable to continue and will start the race in dead last. Goethe will continue the rest of the session.
The FIA will investigate both drivers following the sessions completion.
Following everyone’s fastest laps, the top three are as follows. Victor Martins sets the pace early, with a 1.31.012. He is closely followed by Miní and Fornaroli, who are .2 and .3 seconds behind.
Experience is proving to be crucial with Crawford, Martins and Durksen’s setting the faster times immediately.
Rookies take over
They may be rookies who had to get accustomed to the session and are now setting the pace out front. Reigning Formula 3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli set the fastest time of the session with a 1.30.136. The PREMA driver of Miní was not far behind with a 0.230 gap.
Fornaroli managed to set an even faster lap time, with a 1.29.148. Being the first driver into the 1.29s.
All the cases returned to the pits with fifteen minutes in the session.
Back on track
With less than twelve minutes remaining, all the drivers are back out to set some final flying laps.
Ollie Goethe sets the first flying lap of this part of qualifying with a 1.32.45. This marks the tough day for the junior driver, who may be carrying damage due to his earlier contact with Esterson.
The track has ramped up now, with Victor Martins reclaiming his top spot with a 1.29.523. Maini who was on a fast sector had to back out of the lap due to a lock up and spin into the final turn. This momentarily brought out the yellow flags and many drivers were unable to improve their times.
With five minutes remaining the top three drivers remain Victor Martins, Jak Crawford who is 0.064 seconds behind. With Miní 0.267 behind.
Final Flying laps
Lindblad was on a flying lap, looking to take pole position. However, his final sector let him down and he ultimately only managed P13.
The rookie of Mini managed to set a flying lap of 1.29.286. Beating Victor Martins’ time by 0.114 seconds.
With less than a minute to go, some drivers are pushing for a final lap. Martins, Lindblad, Crawford, Maini and Mini believe there is no tyres left to go for another lap. They all pit.
Browning is going for a flying lap. However, the timing screens were not lighting up. He stays seventh.
Fornaroli had a spin and ended up in the gravel. He was forced to abandon his flying lap. He will start the Feature race on the 10th.
Minì secures pole position for the first time in 2025. The PREMA driver is followed by Victor Martins. Jak Crawford is in 3rd, but will receive a ten-place grid drop for both races.
However, there is an incident being investigated following the session with Minì and Crawford.
Formula 2 will be back tomorrow for the Formula 2 sprint race duering the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. Where the top ten drivers will be reversed.
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Feature Image Credit Formula 2 via X