After a promising performance in Melbourne, Prema Racing looks to confirm its newfound strength in Bahrain.
Prema Racing to Face F2 Second Round in Bahrain
Following the first round, Prema Racing is seeking confirmation of its newfound potential expressed in Melbourne.
However, in 2024, Bahrain proved to be a challenging track for the team, where they failed to score significant results. Could the pair Montoya-Mini change these statistics and bring the team to the highest step of the podium this weekend?
Encouraging Results from Prema Racing’s In-Season Testing in Bahrain
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 there.
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. Gabriele Minì has never backed down in a battle in his single-seater career, and even his qualifying performances are to his credit, with 19 pole positions in his name.
During the in-season testing in Bahrain, Martins recorded the fastest lap on Day 1, but it was bettered by Minì the following day. 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.
Sebastian Montoya also performed well in the tests, and his performance and that of the Italian were 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.
READ MORE: Key Insights From F2 In-Season Testing in Bahrain
Positive Takeaways from Australia
Currently, the team are fourth in the teams’ championship standings.
Both drivers reached the points in the first (and only) race of the year after a series of impressive overtakes. Montoya started from P8 and recovered to P6. Elsewhere, Minì began in P13 and climbed the grid back to P7, also earning an extra point for the fastest lap.
With this, both Prema Racing drivers collected the same amount of points coming to Bahrain. There is not yet a team leader, but the second round could give us a hint of how the season will unfold inside the garage of the Italian team.
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Transforming Defeat into Victory
Although Montoya had a difficult season in F3, struggling to express his full potential, his main goal is to turn that flow around and showcase his skills in F2.
He knows this is his last chance to get noticed by an F1 team and fulfill his childhood dream. With his performance in Melbourne, he appears to have started the year with renewed determination.
On the other side of the garage, Gabriele Minì had an impressive second season in F3.
He improved his performance from his debut with Hitech and came close to winning the title. However, in the last race, he lost his chances in the last corner and had to settle for vice-champion.
LWOS spoke with Minì about responding to a significant loss in Monza and how he can channel that experience into determination for his F2 season:
“Last year we had a pretty strong season. It didn’t go as we wanted but at the same time we knew we didn’t lose it in Monza, there were many parts of the season where we could have gotten those two points (NDR. of distance with the leader).
The best help comes a lot from the team and the people we have around. But in the end, the one that has to do the step and try to really motivate yourself to do even better, instead of putting yourself down, it’s yourself with your own mentality.
In the end, I think the biggest fight you have in Motorsport isn’t against anyone but against yourself and your mind. It’s something that has to come from the people around you, finding the right ones that at the moment I do have with the help of Alpine, All Road, and Prema Racing. The rest has to come from the driver himself.” – Gabriele Minì to LWOS
READ NEXT: Formula 2 to Continue the Fight in Bahrain
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 14.03.2025
