Sami Meguetounif ends Day 3 of F2 pre-season testing fastest. In Barcelona, red flags disrupted teams’ workflow.
Martins and Meguetounif Share Top Times on Final Day of F2 Pre-Season Testing
The third day of running in Barcelona marks the end of the F2 pre-season testing ends. Once again, drivers have had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their cars and enhance their performance ahead of the 2025 season.
They were also able to compare their efforts with their competitors, thus understanding where they are compared to the competition and identifying areas to focus on as they head into the new season.
Sami Meguetounif in TRIDENT finished Day 3 ahead of everyone, securing the fastest time in the afternoon session. Like the morning session, the afternoon was frequently interrupted by red flags, with nine disruptions on the track.
These interruptions undermined the work of drivers and teams, who had only these three days to prepare for the 2025 season. They will hit the track again on March 14 for the first race of the year.
Victor Martins On Top Again in the Morning Session
Drivers started the day on Wet tyres due to rain from the previous night.
These conditions led many drivers to error and, a few minutes before the start, two red flags had already been waved. The red flags were caused by Kush Maini, who lost control of the car in Turn 3, and Megeutounif in Turn 9.
After these interruptions, the first to record a time worthy of note were the two Rodin Motorsport drivers. Christian Mansell and Alexander Dunne were the first to drop below 1.30s.
After the rest of the grid improved their times, one hour from the checkered flag another red flag came out due to a spin for Sebastian Montoya at Turn 1.
After the session resumed, Martins set a new reference time, achieving first place with 1:24.673.
However, other incidents disrupted the normal workflow. Among the disruptions was Christian Mansell who spun into the barriers at turn three. Thankfully he exited the car unharmed.
The drivers were granted one last flying lap in the final minutes of the green flag. However, Martins touched the wall at Turn 6, ending the session for all.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: F2 Pre-Season Testing Day 1: Arvid Lindblad Fastest on Opening Day
Top 10 of the Morning Session
- Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) – 1.24.673
- Ritomo Miyata (ART Grand Prix) – 1.25.148
- Jak Crawford (DAMS Lucas Oil) – 1.25.580
- Kush Maini (DAMS Lucas Oil) – 1.25.593
- Max Esterson (TRIDENT) – 1.25.707
- Joshua Duersken (AIX Racing) – 1.26.275
- Rafael Villagomez (Van Amersfoort Racing) – 1.26.304
- John Bennett (Van Amersfoort Racing) – 1.26.311
- Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport) – 1.27.013
- Jospe Maria Martì (Campos Racing) – 1.27.091
Meguetounif Ends the Afternoon Session With the Best Time
The challenges on the track for the drivers continued in the afternoon, marked by another red flag twenty minutes into the session, first caused by Max Estersone and then by John Bennett.
Meanwhile, Meguetounif took the lead with a time of 1:24.363.
The conditions made it difficult for the drivers to achieve better times with no one improving their performance except Alexander Dunne. The Irishman secured second place, nearly seven-tenths of a second behind the Frenchman.
Oliver Goethe and Meguetounif himself caused the other red flags.
ALSO FOR YOU: F2 Pre-Season Testing Day 2: Gabriele Mini and Oliver Goethe Lead the Way
Top 10 of the Afternoon Session
- Sami Meguetounif (TRIDENT) – 1.24.363
- Alexander Dunne (Rodin Motorsport) – 1. 24.048
- Arvid Lindblad (Campos Racing) – 1.25.427
- Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport) – 1.25.715
- Christian Mansell (Rodin Motorsport) – 1.25.817
- Joshua Durksen (AIX Racing) – 1.25.939
- Cian Shields (AIX Racing) – 1.25.977
- Josep Maria Marti (Campos Racing) – 1.26.307
- Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) – 1.26.355
- Max Esterson (TIRDENT) – 1.26.444
Summary of F2 Pre-Season Testing’s Day 3
On the last day of pre-season testing, Formula 2 drivers encountered several difficulties in carrying out their work, due to the continuous red flags.
However, in these three days, they have gathered sufficient data to arrive in Australia well-prepared and challenge themselves on the track starting from qualifying.
Between rookies from Formula 3 and more experienced drivers, the testing seems to suggest a levelled grid that promises an exciting season.
READ NEXT: F1 Pre-Season Testing Day 1: Antonelli and Norris Lead the Way
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Panoramic by PsnewZ
Recording Date: 01.09.2024
