One of the most important and challenging qualifying sessions of the Formula 2 season set the grid in sunny Monaco for both the sprint and feature races this weekend. Given how tight and unforgiving the streets of motorsport’s crown jewel are, all drivers were divided into two groups: Group A (even car numbers) and Group B (odd car numbers). Each group had a short span of 16 minutes to put in a lap worthy of pole position.
Group A
The first group headed out at 15:10 local time, and the fight was on immediately. As drivers built momentum, heated up their tyres, and searched for grip, lap times improved with every run. Victor Martins, who topped the timesheets in yesterday’s practice session, was the first to set a competitive benchmark in the 1:21 window with a time of 1:21.792, while others were over a second slower.
Arvid Lindblad and Richard Verschoor were the ones to put pressure on Martins, each delivering impressive laps that briefly put them ahead. However, the experienced French driver fought back, reclaiming provisional pole with a benchmark time of 1:21.145 for Group B.
Group B
There was no time to waste. As soon as the green flag waved at 15:34, the pack of 11 remaining drivers hit the streets of Monaco, eager to respond to the benchmark set by Group A. However, before anyone could even set a competitive lap, Rafael Villagómez ended up in the barrier at Turn 19 after Alexander Dunne dived to the inside, attempting to gain a better track position. The incident brought out a red flag, stopping the session for a few minutes.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, the session resumed and the pressure was on. The first competitive laps in the 1:23 window were led by Sebastian Montoya. However, it didn’t last long, as Alexander Dunne – the championship leader eager to extend his points gap – pushed on the softest tyres and went fastest with a time of 1:21.781.
Purple sectors were flying left and right, especially from Dunne, who, as the chequered flag waved, set a blistering lap of 1:21.142. That secured him the Aramco Pole Position Award and marked the first pole of his Formula 2 career.
As Dunne celebrated and Martins processed his narrow defeat – just 0.003 seconds off – Montoya spun and brought out a yellow flag, compromising his final flying lap along with others.
The grid is now set, with Dunne and Martins on the front row for the feature race, followed by Verschoor and Lindblad. Meanwhile, a reverse grid promises surprises in the sprint race. All eyes are on the sunny French Riviera, where pressure, precision, and pure racing await.