Saudi Arabia: Bearman makes up for it with pole, Martins and Hadjar in the Top 10

• The Premas are doing better! In the tough last weekend for the first round of the season in Bahrain, the Italian machines found color in Saudi Arabia, a circuit which seems to suit them better. Among the Transalpines, Ollie Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli played in front but it was the first city who hit the jackpot.
• In an exercise that he particularly appreciates (three pole positions for his rookie season in 2023), the Englishman showed off his top speed. By taking advantage of the improvement in track conditions when putting on new tires, the protected Ferrari left nothing to chance during his last outing. Very close (18 drivers in the same second, the Top 10 in 4 tenths), this qualifying session was ultimately dominated by Ollie Bearman. If his lap in 1'42"217 allowed him to temporarily climb to the top of the timesheet, the Briton had to wait, even launch a final attempt, to secure the 4th pole position of his career in F2.
• Although there were changes of position in the final seconds, Ollie Bearman ultimately saw no one beat his mark and was thus able to slow down on his last flying lap ahead of Kush Maini (Invicta Racing), who confirmed his excellent start of the season, for 25 thousandths.
• Ninth in qualifying last week in Bahrain, Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) appeared in better shape. On the circuit on which he took his first pole position in F2 last year, the Ile-de-France native fought for the first places, ultimately failing 19 thousandths behind 3rd, held by Jak Crawford (DAMS). Enzo Fittipaldi (VAR) completed the Top 5. Great performance from Andrea Kimi Antonelli who confirms his good adaptation to Formula 2. After suffering last weekend, the Italian finished at the gates of the Top 5. Isack Hadjar (Campos), practically deprived of driving this Thursday morning in free practice, made up for it with the 8th time.
• Surprise for leader Zane Maloney (Rodin Motorsport) who was only a shadow of himself in qualifying. Winner of the two races in Bahrain, the Barbadian never managed to put everything together to put in a good lap, ranking 16th. Note that he encountered mechanical problems since his team worked on the rear of his car, which he had to stop in the first sector at the end of the session.
• Pole position for the Sprint Race went to Paul Aron (Hitech GP).

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