Ayumu Iwasa (JPN) Dams. 17.03.2023. FIA Formula 2 Championship, Rd 2, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] Copyright: XPB Images
Ayumu Iwasa has become the first Formula 2 driver to take pole position at Albert Park, with the Japanese driver keeping his cool in unpredictable and constantly changing conditions.
All drivers were out at the top of the session to set initial times on a very wet track, getting ahead of the curve after what was a very eventful practice session, which had been impacted by three red flag stoppages.
The first red flag came out five minutes into the session, after Oliver Bearman found the wall between turns 8 and 9, leaving the track scattered in debris of the Prema, as well as a lost front wing from Jak Crawford’s Hitech.
Bearman was able to get himself back to the pitlane for repairs, and despite the initial damage to the car, the Briton was able to take part in the remainder of the session.
Home hero Jack Doohan was moments away from setting the first competitive time of session, with the red flag interrupting his attempt just a corner away from completing the lap.
It was Doohan who led the way back out the pits, setting the first representative time of the session, which quickly got beaten by Frederik Vesti.
The ever-changing conditions saw various drivers get in the mix to top the timing, with the fastest time changing hands every few seconds.
Jeddah polesitter Victor Martins found himself once again on top after the first runs, setting a provisional pole time of 1:14.736.
The Frenchman saw himself hitting the wall between turns 5 and 6, bringing out another red flag with just under three minutes left on the clock.
The high track evolution saw times tumble down on the fresh wet weather tyres, with Ayumu Iwasa eventually coming out on top, taking the honours of being the first Formula 2 driver to take pole position around Albert Park as well as two championship points with it.
Theo Pourchaire slotted into P2, 0.614 behind the polesitter, with Martins filling out the top 3 for Sunday’s Feature Race.
Isack Hadjar managed to stay ahead of Zane Maloney and Bearman, with the top 10 further being completed by Arthur Leclerc, Kush Maini, Crawford and finally Dennis Hauger, who is set to start from reverse grid pole for tomorrow’s Sprint Race.
The 23-lap Sprint Race will take place tomorrow, at 14:20 local time, with the Feature Race set for Sunday, at 11:35 local time.
Keyword: Iwasa takes F2 pole in wet Melbourne qualifying