Formula 2 is back on another new track, this time it’s the F2 Canadian GP. After an exciting time in Miami last time out, the grid were once again ready for a new challenge. The drivers take on the 4.361 km Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal for Free Practice.
F2 in Canada for the first time
As 45 minutes were set on the clock, the F2 grid left the pit lane to go on track in Montreal for the first time. Round 3 was bound to be exciting and chaotic.
Already in the first minute, issues appeared to arise for Gabriele Minì as he could not get out of the pits, and the MP team gathered around him.
Joshua Dürksen was the first of the pack to set a warm-up time with a lap time of 1:34.755. He kept attempting to find the limits of the track, going wide and setting the pace. He quickly improved his time to a solid 1:25.319.
With only 45 minutes of running before Qualifying, it was crucial for the drivers to familiarise themselves with the circuit quickly.
Van Hoepen was noted for weaving on straight. Meanwhile, Maini and Varrone were close to contact as Varrone slowed down while Maini locked up, but kept driving around the corner. Several drivers struggled to find decent grip and swerved around the track.
Yellow flags, low grip, and fast pace at F2 Canadian GP Practice
Yellow flags were out as Sebastian Montoya spun in Turn 2. However, he quickly recovered, and the track went green again. Maini was noted for both impeding and driving erratically for the earlier incident with Varrone.
With 22 minutes left, the pack kept improving their times, with Tsolov, Dunne, and Van Hoepen in the top three. Dunne knocked down Tsolov’s time by 0.101, with the quickest time thus far being 1:22.524.
Leon was also set to be investigated after the session for impeding in Turn 3.
Last running
With only minutes left in the session, the drivers went into the pits, then returned to the track for their last runs ahead of Qualifying.
Villagomez found the Wall of Champions after losing the rear, and the yellow flags were out again. Luckily, he managed to make his way back to the pits. In the last minute, Colton Herta spun and stayed parked in Turn 2.
As the F2 Canadian GP practice came to an end, Dunne, Stenshorne and Tsolov completed the top three. The quickest time was still Dunne’s 1:22.524 set earlier on.
