After a calm Free Practice in the morning, it was time for qualifying. No mistakes made and a magnificent pole from Leonardo Fornaroli, reminding everyone why he’s the 2024 Formula 3 champion. Here’s everything you missed during that session.
Unlike Formula 3, a lot of drivers make the choice to stay in the pit as the sun starts to fall in Bahrain. Victor Martins, freshly promoted to the Williams Academy, is the first one to go on track and set a 1:45.110 time. Alexander Dunne comes close to the ART Grand Prix driver with only a 0.002 seconds time behind. Leonardo Fornaroli is showing how hungry he is and takes the first place, 0.468 seconds in front of the Frenchman. With 19 minutes remaining on the clock, all drivers are finally on track, on soft tyres.
It seems like the qualifying is in two groups as eleven drivers went out at the beginning of the session to make their lap while the others waited and mid session it was the contrary, those who went out pitted and those who were in the pits are out. Joseph María Martí continues to show how at ease he is on this track, by taking second place and being the fastest on the last sector. Everyone is going out for their last attempt on fresh soft tyres. A small problem appeared with Kush Maini as he struggled to start his car.
A final push for the front line
Once again, Victor Martins is the first one to go on track and try to improve his time. He does so as he takes provisional pole with a 0.448 margin. Roman Stanek and Luke Browning improved their time but are still behind the French driver. However, Leonardo Fornaroli is on fire and takes the pole for only 0.155. Dino Beganovic and Arvid Lindblad abused their tyres. Cian Shields almost span in the last sector. We can also note the great performance from Sami Meguetounif that takes the p7 and Rafael Villagómez in p8. However, Prema seems to face difficulties as both drivers are not in the top 10. Victor Martins is p2 and Luke Browning p3. The current leader of the championship, Joshua Dürksen, will be on pole for the sprint race.