AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen delivered his strongest qualifying performance since Round 2 in Bahrain, securing 9th place in today’s FIA F2 Qualifying session in Barcelona. The result not only marks a welcome return to the top ten but also puts the Paraguayan on the front row for Saturday’s Sprint Race, thanks to the reverse-grid format.
Duerksen clocked a 1:25.750, extracting the maximum from his AIX Racing machine under punishingly hot track conditions.
“It’s really hot, so the track is really hot, especially for the soft tyre, it’s not what they like, they like a cooler track because they survive the lap better,” the Paraguayan driver explained after the session.
Learnings from first stint helped second
The AIX Racing driver also made sure not to repeat his mistakes during the Qualifying session. After a “not great” first stint, he made sure to take his learnings forward into his second stint. This helped him put in the strong performance that earned him his top-10 finish.
“Qualifying, the first stint was not great. I was expecting a lot more, but at the same time, I was exploring the limit, over pushing a bit, so it makes sense the result in the first stint. But the good thing is I knew exactly what I needed to do on the second [stint].”
Strategic patience paid off
Duerksen also praised his team for a bold strategy call that saw him and ten other drivers wait nine minutes after the green light before heading out on track—while the other half of the grid went out immediately. The goal was to avoid early traffic and benefit from a cleaner racing line. While the delay brought some tension as time ticked away, Duerksen believes it was the right move.
“I think we also made a good call with the strategy, to not go out straight away, to let the other cars go first. I think that was really good, but it got tight at the end.”
However, the Paraguayan driver acknowledged that some work was still needed, as while he extracted everything in Barcelona, he could not keep up with his stronger rivals.
“I still needed to do some adjustments in the car, but I still made it to do one lap and the lap was good, to be honest, it felt really good. I think I extracted everything. We are not where we want to be, but at least it’s a big improvement compared to the last few weekends I have had.”
Duerksen confident that he can fight for Barcelona Sprint Race win
Although AIX Racing and Duerksen have endured a tough season since Bahrain, this session offers a glimmer of hope. Starting from 2nd on the grid tomorrow, Duerksen is confident he can challenge for victory.
“I’m really happy, and of course it gives a big boost to the team, starting tomorrow on the front row, and I’m really happy for this.”
“I want to extract everything tomorrow and I hope this is now a new beginning for us and we can recover some good points now.”
A late start to F2 Barcelona Qualifying the best choice
His success in Qualifying was especially optimistic given his delayed start to the session. Duerksen, along with 10 other drivers, chose to wait until nine minutes had passed before heading out on track, while the remaining 11 went out at the green light. The decision was made to let traffic disperse and allow for clean air on the lap. Duerksen explained this decision while speaking after the session.
“We went out later because we wanted the other guys to go first. We wanted them to clean up the track, see what they do and then go out and also to try and avoid the traffic.”
“Usually, if everyone goes out at the same time, there is so much traffic on the first lap. So, we were like ‘Wait, let the other cars go, and then we go in clean air, no traffic and just do our run’, that was the main purpose.”
Duerksen aiming for the win in Barcelona
Duerksen is aiming high for the F2 Sprint Race in Barcelona. Starting from 2nd on the grid allows him to confidently chase his first win of the season.
“I’m aiming for the win,” he declared
The 21-year-old consistently launches well off the line and remains confident in his ability to do the same in Barcelona. If he can lead into Turn 1, he believes he can manage the race from there.
“If I do the same job as I did in Australia, I will be really happy. Starting P2, I usually do very good starts, so I hope I can do that tomorrow. Then, of course, be first for the first lap and then manage the race.”
Duerksen has reflected on the progress made and the momentum both he and AIX Racing have started to build. He knows now is the time to push forward.
“We are starting to create momentum now, so we have to use it. As soon as this momentum stops, it’s really hard to start again and then get on a roll.”
“For sure, we have to maximise it now and try and get the best results possible till the end of the season.”
