The 2025 F2 season is reaching its final stretch as the paddock heads to Qatar for the first leg of a decisive double-header. Championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli remains in control, but with several rivals still in contention, the fight is far from over.
Among them is Joshua Dürksen, aiming to consolidate a strong season and break into the top ten of the Drivers’ Championship. Ahead of the F2 Qatar GP, Dürksen spoke to the media, including Pit Debrief about his expectations, momentum, and the challenges of racing at Lusail.
“The more experience you can have, the better”
Dürksen returns to the Qatar F2 Qatar GP with valuable track time already under his belt, something he believes will pay dividends this weekend.
“Yeah, basically, of course, the experience in Qatar will help me a lot for this year,” he said. “I understand Nikola’s [Tsolov] position because last year was also a new track, not only for me but I think for the whole championship.”
“It’s a really exciting track, really fun to drive, a lot of high-speed corners. So for sure, having some previous experience in this track will be beneficial, will be quite helpful because you need to get comfortable on the high speeds here just to get to know the track.”
“And I think it’s easy math. I mean, everywhere, the more experience you can have, the better it will be for you because you can perfection more your driving. You just know better the track, you know all the little tricks to do in order to be fast.”
“So for sure, it will be helpful, but I’m quite sure that the whole grid will be competitive and I’m quite sure Nikola and all the other drivers that are joining this weekend will adapt very quickly.”
Dust, heat and adaptation
Qatar’s climate and desert surroundings create unique challenges, particularly during the early sessions.
“For sure, it impacts but mostly on free practice because there’s not much running happening before we run,” Dürksen explained.
“So for sure, the track will be very dirty and you can feel it. I mean, there are other tracks where you can feel it more, let’s say like Monaco… because it’s a street circuit and there’s no racing happening during a whole year where the track evolution is bigger.”
“Here, for sure, it will be a thing. But as soon as Friday is done, I think the track will have a decent amount of grip. Unless you get a sandstorm, of course, then it’s done.”
“But usually, you should just feel it on free practice. The first laps and then it’s fine. So you just need to adapt and take the sand out of the track and then it’s fine.”
Aiming for the top ten
Dürksen currently sits just outside the top ten, with only 10 points separating him from Sebastián Montoya.
“For sure, top 10 is very possible. I mean, it’s only 10 points and there’s still a lot of races to go,” he said.
“Qatar last year, we struggled a little bit at the beginning, but then of course we came back. So for sure, top 10 is very, very possible.”
“And of course, it’s very important to finish on a high, to finish with good results. It gives some super licence points. It’s not a lot, but every super licence point counts.”
“And for sure, I just want to have a great feeling stepping into the next year and starting with the right foot. So I think those things are possible and for sure are very important.”
Momentum after three podiums
Before the long mid-season break, Dürksen delivered one of his best runs of the year with three podiums in four races. He believes that maintaining the same mindset will be key.
“Yeah, it has been a really good last race weekend before this long break. I mean, having three podiums out of four races is always really cool,” he reflected.
“How I approach this last race weekend, I think I do the same as I always do. I just focus on my work and just try to give everything.”
Drawing on past performances, Dürksen sees the potential for another late-season surge at the F2 Qatar GP.
“If you look, last year was exactly the same thing. Monza, we were quick. Baku, we were quick. Qatar, we struggled a little bit. On the races, we were quick, but then the safety car also impeded us to have a good result. We were on the wrong strategy.”
“And then Abu Dhabi went really well, making also almost a double podium there. And I think we have good chances this year to do the same thing again. Of course, improving it, improving the performance in Qatar and matching the performance in Abu Dhabi.”
“I mean, finishing the year with a win last year was really amazing and it’s my target as well to do it right now.”
“And so I’m really confident that we have the package to still make good results and for sure finish in the top 10 in the championship.”
