The Monaco round could represent a crucial test for AIX Racing, revealing progress or persisting struggles in F2.
AIX Racing in Search of Answers in F2
This year in F2, AIX Racing have not started at the same pace as the team did in 2024. After Dürksen’s victory in Australia, the team was only able to score points on one other occasion. This occurred when the Paraguayan driver finished in tenth place during the feature race in Bahrain, which earned him just one point.
The disqualification in the Sprint Race at Sakhir, also by Dürksen, meant that there are still areas for the team to work on during this season. On the other side of the box, Cian Shield is struggling to reach his first points of the season.
The British driver, in his rookie season, is struggling more than his teammate with the issues the team is facing this season regarding finding pace in the car. Even if the speed in the straights remains one of the strongest points, AIX Racing still has to put everything together to return to fighting in the front group, as they did on some occasions in 2024.
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Joshua Dürksen Aims to Return to His Best
Dürksen’s rookie season featured ten point finishes and four podiums. He achieved two victories: one in the sprint race in Baku and another in Abu Dhabi. This high continued in Australia the following year, as the Paraguayan inaugurated the season by winning the Sprint Race. Due to the cancellation of the Feature Race, he left the first round as the leader of the championship. A great result for him and AIX Racing, which gave them confidence for the future.
However, his struggles began in Bahrain. Since the pre-season testing, it was obvious for AIX Racing that the Shakir round would present a great challenge for them. In the Sprint Race, his pace allowed him to maintain the podium by starting in the first position.
However, the blow came after his car was found to be non-compliant with the regulations. His car’s diffuser was found to be lower than the minimum height. After that, Jeddah and Imola did not give Dürksen much satisfaction as he ended both rounds just outside the points.
Prior to the Monaco F2 round, LWOS spoke with the F2 AIX Racing driver about his views on racing in Monaco, as there have been complaints about the races in the principality becoming boring over the years.
“I think Thursday and Friday are the most fun days because it’s where we do only performance laps and we have to give everything. We’re going to try to not leave any margin there. On Saturday and Sunday, it’s still fun to drive, that’s why I’m a racing driver because I love driving. But for sure, it’s not as exciting as qualifying because we know that overtaking opportunities are not really big here. You may have one chance on the first lap until turn 6, then it’s basically just a train. But don’t me wrong, I still love driving, but for sure the most funny days are Thursday and Friday for me. Except if I’m on the first row for the Feature Race, then the Sunday will be really fun.” – Joshua Durksen to LWOS
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Cian Shields Looks to Reach the First Points of the Season
Shields is currently in his first full season in the F2 championship. Adapting is proving challenging for him. He currently sits in 18th place in the drivers’ championship, having not reached the points yet.
However, he came very close in Imola, finishing in 11th place in the Feature Race. The British-Irish driver is still in the process of adapting to the new car and Monaco will be anew challenge for him, having raced there only in an F3 car.
The AIX Racing drivers will go out on track for the first time during the Free Practice session at 15.00 local time in Monaco.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 22.05.2025
