Qualifying for the F2 British GP saw Victor Martins as the shining star that topped the timing with an incredible 1:39.731. The ART driver will take pole for the second time at Silverstone.
Earlier today, the practice session saw Victor Martins coming out on top with a solid lap time of 1:41.699 around Silverstone. Qualifying for the British GP was highly anticipated and with the field being incredibly close all season, pole position could be anyone’s.
With the single practice session conquered, the drivers were ready for the much anticipated qualifying to start. As only 24 points are separating the top two in the championship, the fight for pole was on.
Green flags at Silverstone
Jak Crawford led the grid onto the track as he launched into the first flying lap with a 1:41.279
Crawford was soon bumped down the timing sheet as Richard Verschoor crossed the line with an even quicker lap of 1:40.77. Martins was going purple in sector one and two, going green for the final sector and bumped the F2 championship leader down to second, as Martins crossed the line with a 1:40.710.
Nine minutes into the session, Alex Dunne ran wide on the exit of Turn 1 and looked as he potentially damaged the floor. Meanwhile, Miyata did not get to leave the pit lane as the team could be seen stood around the car trying to get going.
While most of the grid set their initial laps, track limits still caught plenty drivers in Turn 1. Deleting the laps of drivers including Luke Browning, Gabriele Mini, and Alex Dunne. However, with 20 minutes still to go, they had plenty of time to have a proper go again.
Red flag comes out
Yellow flags quickly came out as Cordeel spun, however they soon turned red when Cordeel was stuck on track once the car stalled. Cordeel’s lap that put him fifth for the moment, will not could as any driver that brings out the red flag gets their lap time deleted as per the F2 rules.
The marshals were quick to remove the Rodin of Cordeel off the track and the rest of the drivers were once again ready to go. When they were out of the pits again, Miyata quickly had to return. While he did eventually managed to get going, he was forced to return to the pits at the 15 minute mark, still without a lap time set.
Alex Dunne was pushing to jump up the field, managing to set a purple second sector, however it was still not enough to fight Martins on top. He did however jump from twelfth to third with a solid lap of 1:40.808.
10 minutes to go
With 10 minutes left everyone, with the exception of Cordeel and Miyata, were warming their tires to push again. Having to end qualifying prematurely, Miyata soon got out of the car, still without a time set.
The battle for the top three became immensely intense as Crawford set the fastest first sector. Montoya quickly followed the American, barely behind his sector times. Verschoor was the driver that ended up stealing the first purple sector. However, it was still not enough to secure pole.
Crawford snatched first place from Martins with a beautiful 1:39.971. Even with Verschoor taking his purple sectors, he did not manage to grab provisional pole. Durksen had a big slide, but still managed to grab sixth for the moment. Meanwhile, Martins set purple sectors and took provisional pole position with a stunning 1:39.731.
Luke Browning was looking to improve as he was twelfth with 3 minutes left on the clock. The Brit attempted to push, however it was not enough to climb into the top ten.
While the entire field attempted to push to the fullest. Barely any were able to improve their sectors on the second go around.
Battle for pole
The intense battle for pole continued as Fornaroli found time in the first sector. However the middle sector did not let him improve his time. Still, the Invicta driver fought his way into the top ten. Taking pole during the sprint race as the reverse grid format comes into play.
The competitive nature of the grid truly showed as only 0.065 seconds separated the top two. However, no one was able to beat Victor Martins’ stunning 1:39.731. The Frenchman will be lining up on pole for the second time at Silverstone.
The qualifying session finished with Martins and Dunne taking up the front row. Crawford and Stanek occupying the second row.
Provisional Qualifying Results:
- V. Martins
- A. Dunne
- J. Crawford
- R. Stanek
- S. Montoya
- J. Durksen
- R. Verschoor
- D. Beganovic
- K. Maini
- L. Fornaroli
- A. Lindblad
- L. Browning
- S. Meguetounif
- M. Esterson
- R. Villagomez
- G. Mini
- A. Cordeel
- J. Bennett
- O. Goethe
- J.M. Marti
- C. Shields
- R. Miyata
