Guanyu Zhou takes first pole of the year

He already stood out last year by taking the first pole of the 2020 season in Austria. The Chinese Guanyu-Zhou did it again this Friday during the inaugural meeting of the season Formula 2 in Bahrain. The UNI-Virtuosi pilot dislodged his Academy colleague by only three thousandths Alpine, the Dane Christian Lundgaard (ART Grand Prix). Felipe Drugovich (UNI-Virtuosi), faster during free practice, set the third time of the session (+0 »3). 

The twenty-two men had two real flying laps to try to qualify. With the exception of Robert Shwartzman (Prema), only 12th in qualifying. The pilot of the Ferrari Driver Academy indeed encountered mechanical problems, notably seeing its car stop on the track before its second fast lap. 

For its part, Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix) may have some regrets after having achieved the 11th fastest time for his first qualification with ART Grand Prix. The Habs missed tenth place (that of pole for Race 1 on a reverse grid) by twenty-six thousandths. A position that will be occupied by rookie David Beckmann (Charouz), who will start alongside Liam Lawson (Hitech, 9th) andOscar piastri (Prema, 8th) in Race 1. 

The little surprise of the session came from the Dutchman Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport), author of the sixth fastest time of the session although he has so far only signed for the first round of the season. Dan Ticktum (Carlin/+0 »4) finished 4th and Jüri Vips (Hitech/+0 »5) 5th. 

 Provisional top ten 

So close at the top #BahrainGP  #F2 pic.twitter.com/XwrRnLfIUr

- Formula 2 (@ Formula2) March 26, 2021