Qualifying session in Baku was really important as the rumors of it being the last weekend in the championship grows. If some drivers came back into the fight for the title, some saw their hope probably put into an end.

Special day in Formula 2 with not one but two qualifying sessions as there are two races this weekend. It’s also good to note that Hiyu Yamakoshi, who was driving in Formula 3, took Varrone’s seat with Van Amersfoort Racing. Qualifying was a bit delayed due to an issue on track between the old and new asphalt on Turn 7, which could be a tricky part of the track for the drivers.

Quali 1

As usual this qualifying session was for the sprint race and the first feature race. The first one to go on track was Oliver Goethe. However, most of the drivers followed him. All of them made two out laps before their lap time. Goethe made a time in a 1:59.374. Alexander Dunne had two purple sectors and made a 1:55.383 time. Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak was really close to the wall but had no damage. Dino Beganovic was noted for driving too slowly since, as per usual, drivers didn’t want to give the tow to those behind them. Nikola Tsolov didn’t improve his second attempt but Gabriele Minì behind him had his tow, which was useless as he slided in sector 2. Martinius Stenshorne had a great second attempt finding himself in second place, 0.033 behind his teammate.

As Beganovic tried to do the same and was driving slow, Cian shields grew impatient and went up front with Nikola Tsolov. A yellow flag was waved on sector 1 as Dunne, Minì and Billinski went straight into Turn 1. Nikola Tsolov had a big snap with his car, putting an end to his third attempt. Rafael Câmara improved in P5. Most of the drivers in the top 10 didn’t have the time to do a fourth attempt. However both Beganovic and Villagomez had the occasion to do one. The DAMs Racing driver put himself in P8. Alexander Dunne will start on pole for the feature race, while Nikola Tsolov will start on pole for the sprint. Really bad qualifying for Gabriele Minì who ended up P15.

Quali 2

After a small break, we went again on track, with Fittipaldi going first. He made a 1:56.960 time, after only one out lap. Gabriele Minì was the first to make a lap time with two out laps, in a 1:55.479, but was quickly beaten by the one behind him. Rafael Câmara took the first position. Colton Herta had a big spin but thankfully didn’t touch any walls. Dino Beganovic was the only driver who stayed in the pit with 10 minutes on the clock. A first yellow flag was waved as Sebastián Montoya went straight.

No one improved on the second attempt and only some drivers improved on their third attempts. Câmara, León and Tsolov stayed in the pit with 3 minutes on the clock. Mari Boya put a purple sector at the beginning of his last attempt and even went to take the second position. Both Rodin Motorsport’s cars made a great call as Dunne improved to second place and Martinius Stenshorne took pole position in a beautiful 1:53.728 time. Rafael Câmara remained first, Nikola Tsolov went to P8 and Gabriele Minì might have put an end to his championship hope, being P16.