F2 Bahrain in-season testing provided valuable insights that could suggest how the second round of the championship will take shape
What Can We Expect After F2 In-Season Testing in Bahrain
F2 in-season testing took place in Bahrain. This will allow drivers and teams to get ahead on the work they will be doing from 11th to 13th April at Shakir’s track during the second round of the championship.
Throughout the tests, the grid proved its competitiveness, with various drivers taking turns at the top of the standings during the six sessions over three days.
The only driver who repeated the best performance was Richard Verschoor, who topped the standings on both Day 2 and the afternoon of Day 3. Other drivers who led sessions included Roman Stanek and Victor Martins on Day 1, Gabriele Minì on Day 2, and John Bennett on the morning of Day 3.
From these in-season tests, we can draw some important conclusions that may suggest how the weekend will be in Shakir in two weeks.
Victor Martins’s Fastest Laps
Victor Martins is known for his excellent qualifying performances. Throughout the feeder series he has competed in, he has achieved 36 pole positions, including five in F2.
His skills had already been highlighted from pre-season tests and throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend, where he inherited the pole after Gabriele Minì was penalised.
In Bahrain, Martins recorded the fastest lap on Day 1. However, this was bettered by Minì the following day. As a response, the ART Grand Prix driver pushed back against the Italian. On Day 2, the gap between the two was less than one-tenth.
This performance seems to suggest that there could be another pole-position fight between the two in Sakhir.
Victor Martins will take advantage of the fact that this will not be the first time he has raced an F2 car on the Bahrain circuit.
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Richard Verschoor In Search of Consistency
Last year, Richard Vershcoor’s season ended on a high. He earned a podium in every race throughout the final six rounds, which allowed him to climb the ranking and finish the year in eighth place.
2025 started for him with a fourth place in the sprint race at Albert Park, the same result he had obtained in qualifying.
He would have started the feature race in second place due to penalties, but unfortunately, the race was cancelled.
In the F2 in-season tests in Bahrain, Verschoor showed great speed in the morning and afternoon sessions, even when the temperature began to drop.
The Dutchman was the only one to close twice at the top of the rankings. Will he succeed in turning this good performance into satisfactory results in the second round?
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Prema Racing Bets on Sakhir
After Gabriele Minì‘s penalty in Australia cost him pole position, and with the cancellation of the feature race, Prema came out from the first round feeling somewhat satisfied. The regret for the opportunity lost in the race on Sunday was clear.
However, there was also satisfaction in having two drivers who can deliver the results the team deserves after a challenging season like that of 2024.
Minì has never backed down in a battle in his single-seater career. His qualifying performances are to his credit, with 19 pole positions in his name.
Sebastian Montoya has also done well in the tests, and his performance alongside that of the Italian is almost in line.
However, in recent years, Prema Racing has experienced difficulty finding the right performance on the Bahrain circuit. This year may be their opportunity to demonstrate the team’s progress across all areas.
Keep An Eye Out for the F2 Leader in Bahrain
Joshua Durksen, the championship leader, also requires monitoring. The Paraguayan led with his victory in the first Sprint Race of the year.
At the beginning of testing, he appeared more detached than the others. This was particularly seen on the second day, where he recorded only nine laps.
However, things changed on the third day. The AIX Racing driver must have found the right set-up as he was closer to the leading group. Durksen will aim to protect his lead, but many drivers behind him could change the cards.
F2 will be back on track for the second round in Bahrain on April 11-13.
READ NEXT: What to Expect from Ferrari in Bahrain?
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 14.03.2025
