After a relatively quiet Free Practice session, the F2 grid was ready for Qualifying at the Canadian GP. Free Practice ended with Alex Dunne on top with a 1:22.524, followed by Rodin teammate, Martinius Stenshorne, and Nikola Tsolov. As they have only had 45 minutes of track time, Qualifying was bound to be interesting.
Qualifying starts at the F2 Canadian GP
After a delayed start due to incidents in the F1 Free Practice, it was time for F2 to get out on track. With 30 minutes counting down, the drivers made their way onto the circuit.
Nikola Tsolov led the pack for their warm-up laps as he set a lap time of 1:41.646. Ritoma Miyata became the first to set a representative time as he went 1:24.159. The rest of the grid quickly followed with their laps as the gaps continued to narrow. Alex Dunne had a strange snap before turn 1 but luckily managed to keep the car on track.
After that, Tsolov set purple sectors to take the top spot with a 1:22.373 before he was knocked down by Varrone, going 0.295 seconds quicker. With the changing track conditions, the pack appeared to go faster and faster.
Meanwhile, Stenshorne and Dürksen were seen sliding wide as they attempted to test the track’s limits.
Halfway point and Red Flags
As 15 minutes had passed, the halfway point of the F2 Canadian GP Qualifying was reached. The top three were Câmara with a 1:22.025, followed by Varrone and van Hoepen. However, with half of the session left, the top spots could change at any moment.
Ollie Goethe caught the barrier as he had a massive slide after going over the kerb in Turn 4. The incident brought the session to a Red Flag as 8 minutes were left on the clock.
Final chance to grab pole at the F2 Canadian GP Qualifying
After the track was cleared, the drivers went out for the last couple of minutes left. With everyone eager to grab pole for the inaugural F2 circuit, the top spot could go to anyone.
The track was not clear for long as Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak found himself in the wall at Turn 4. It was a real shame for the driver as he was fifth, but his lap would have to be deleted as he caused the Red Flag. Meanwhile Invicta had to repair Câmara’s right rear suspension as he had a solid clip of the wall in turn 4 himself.
When the track was cleared, the F2 pack went out again for the final runs. With only five minutes and 15 seconds left, the pressure was on.
After a close call with the wall, Noel León briefly took the top spot before Tsolov and Stenshorne stole it. León continued to improve as he chased the pole position, but unfortunately for the Campos driver, it was not enough.
It looked to be a great day for Rodin as Dunne and Stenshorne looked to grab a 1-2, but there was still time for a last lap. Tsolov and Câmara looked close to snatch pole, but it was van Hoepen who stood out.
van Hoepen grabbed his first pole position with a 1:21.422, helped by a monster slipstream in Sector 3 from the Brazilian. He was followed by Câmara in second and Dunne in third.
