The action continued at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Formula 2 qualifying unfolded under sunny skies in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes. Spa is known for its sweeping corners and unpredictable weather. This time, it delivered a fast-paced session with high stakes and tight margins.
Due to the long lap distance, drivers wasted no time heading out on track, each with two sets of soft tyres to use. Track position quickly became a crucial factor. Traffic caught some drivers off guard, while others strategically used the tow to gain valuable lap time down the long straights.
Early Benchmarks
Luke Browning was the first to put down a competitive benchmark. However, it didn’t take long for Alexander Dunne, the fastest man in Free Practice, to assert himself once again. The Irish driver jumped to the top of the timesheets with a 1:58.340 and went even faster on his second run, breaking into the 1:57s with a dominant lap.
Leo Fornaroli trailed in P2, 0.421s behind, followed by Gabriele Minì, Victor Martins, and Roman Staněk rounding out the top five. As the session entered its final eight minutes, the pressure was on. Tactical games emerged, with some drivers even choosing to pass through the pit lane. This move gave them an opportunity to gain optimal track position and maximize slipstream opportunities.
Competitive Ending
Late-session improvements saw Ollie Goethe climb to P2, closely followed by teammate Richard Verschoor. But the order shifted quickly once again. Ritomo Miyata and Roman Staněk surged up the rankings. With Martins and the Campos Racing duo Arvid Lindblad and Pepe Martí also improving.
Yet none could match Dunne, who found even more pace to secure the Aramco Pole Position in dominant fashion.
Some drivers managed one last flying lap after a quick cooldown, but no further improvements were made. Verschoor, eager to break into the top ten, had to settle for P11.
Top 10
- Alexander Dunne
- Ritomo Miyata
- Roman Staněk
- Victor Martins
- Arvid Lindblad
- Josep María Martí
- Leo Fornaroli
- Gabriele Miní
- Amaury Cordeel
- Oliver Goethe
With a commanding performance Alexander Dunne carries huge momentum heading into the Sprint and Feature Race. But in a season this close and with Spa’s notorious weather always lurking, the weekend promises to deliver drama, strategy, and plenty of battles.
Stay tuned for what’s sure to be an unpredictable and thrilling round in Belgium.