The sun is out and the action is non-stop. Qualifying for F2 is done and it was a close competition between the grid. After 45 minutes of practice, it was clear who utilised the session, and who will hope for a more successful Saturday. Here’s how qualifying shaped up.

A Technical Challenge

Silverstone is a tricky circuit for most. It’s demanding high speeds and technical corners mean precision is key. Throughout the session, track limits became apparent, with some drivers finding their times deleted.

The appeal for the extra 2 points awarded to pole position can sometimes make a significant difference in Formula 2. With the championship close between the teams and drivers, every point matters. For Nikola Tsolov, two points would promote him back to first in the standings.

The first driver to set the benchmark was Sebastian Montoya. He was quick to set a lap, utilising the limited time in the session. His lap however was quickly knocked down by a huge chunk of drivers. The margins were small but significant. 

Track Limits A Problem

Many drivers were hit with track limit violations during the session. One such driver was Alex Dunne, who was the fastest driver during practice. He suffered a snap of understeer out of Becketts corner and so had his time removed. Prior to the penalty, he found himself within the top 10. His second run sent him provisional pole for the time being.

Both Joshua Dürksen and Rafael Câmara also had their initial lap times deleted, meaning their second runs needed to be significantly better. Dürksen’s second run however was only quick enough for 19th fastest, unlike his teammate who shot up to provisional P3.

Colton Herta opted for a different strategy to the rest of the grid. While 21 drivers came into the pit lane at the midpoint of the session,  he remained out on an empty circuit. In this, he aimed to understand the circuit better, to maximise his final run.

Flying In The Closing Stages

With about 10 minutes to go, the drivers, on new rubber, headed back out for the final showdown. Tsolov had a brilliant initial lap. Hitting purple in all three sections for the time being, he was the first driver to complete a lap sub 1:40. His time, while mighty, was quickly knocked to provisional P5. He was one of the first to conclude his session early.

“Yeah mate, that was the lap of my life. There is no way I can improve” says Nikola Tsolov

Also pitting early was Kush Maini from P3 and Roman Bilinski from P4. As the chequered flag waved, it became apparent that nobody had another lap in them, and so it ended with Rafael Camara taking pole in Silverstone. 1:39.690 was the fastest lap of the day. The only driver to take the flag in today’s qualifying was Oliver Goethe, who qualified P13. 

P2 was claimed by the fastest man in practice Alex Dunne, just shy of pole by two tenths. The championship leader Gabriele Mini only managed 10th fastest, but to his advantage, he will start tomorrow’s sprint race from the front. The reverse grid start almost feels like a strategy played by the team.