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Formula 2 : Melbourne Madness Roundup

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1 year ago

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Formula 2 : Melbourne Madness Roundup

Kush Maini achieved back-to-back podium finishes at the Sprint races at Albert Park after a podium at the Saudi Arabia GP the previous Race weekend.
Meanwhile, the young French driver Isack Hadjar demonstrated exceptional pace throughout the weekend by winning both the Sprint and Feature races on the track. Unfortunately, a penalty in the Sprint race resulted in him dropping to sixth place, allowing Maini to secure the podium spot.

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Practice

Isack Hadjar was desperate to get his season kicked in after a disastrous start to the season with 3 DNFs in a row. Championship leader Zain Maloney was set to extend his points advantage whereas Kush Maini looked confident after big points in Jeddah finishing P2.

During Practice at Melbourne, MP Motorsport’s Dennis Hauger recorded the fastest lap time of 1:29.654. Isack Hadjar from Campos Racing followed closely in P2, just 0.001 seconds behind the leader. Prema Racing’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli took the third position, leading the charge for his team. While Maini manging a solid P6.

Qualifying

With two Red Flags, a long qualifying session ended with Dennis Hauger taking pole position in Melbourne for the Feature race after topping the session with a time of 1:28.694 closely followed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Richard Verschoor, and Kush Maini rounding up the top four. 10th fastest time for Roman Staněk meant he started the sprint race in the pole position

Formula 2 : Melbourne Madness Roundup

Sprint Race

During the race, Hadjar took the lead after a slow start, but he accidentally hit his teammate Josep María Martí while trying to pass pole-sitter Stanek. This caused Martí to collide with Gabriel Bortoleto, and both drivers were out of the race. As a result, the Safety Car was called on the opening lap.

Formula 2 : Melbourne Madness Roundup

On lap 10, Andrea Kimi Antonelli spun out, causing Richard Verschoor also to spin and Paul Aron to sustain front wing damage. Both Antonelli and Verschoor were out of the race, and the Safety Car was called once again.

On lap 15, Hadjar managed to pass Stanek once again and established a comfortable lead. He then set the fastest lap with seven laps to go and secured a three-second lead over the Trident driver, who was defending well from Maini.

On the penultimate lap, Hauger managed to overtake Maini, around the outside of the at Turn 9 to take third place. Maini followed in fourth ahead of Colapinto. But Hadjar was given a post-race penalty for his Lap 1 incident which made Roman Staněk the winner with Kush Maini promoted to the podium.

Formula 2 : Melbourne Madness Roundup

Feature Race

Dennis Hauger had a great start and managed to take the lead, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli following closely behind. Later in the first lap, Antonelli attempted to pass Hauger on the inside at Turn 11, which allowed him to take P1 for a short time. However, Hauger responded on the next lap and retook the lead at Turn 9 using the DRS.

There was a short virtual Safety Car on Lap 7 to remove Joshua Duerksen’s car from the track. Once racing resumed, Maini, who had chosen to start the race on medium tires, quickly gained ground with his better tire condition. He managed to take the lead from Hauger on Lap 9, thanks to the use of DRS. Maini was on an alternate strategy compared to the other drivers, and it seemed to work very well for him, as he was able to put in some fast lap times. He appeared to be on the best strategy to win the race.

But on Lap 11 polesitter Dennis Hauger crashed out and brought the out safety car which was a disaster for Maini as his lead over the pack disappeared however the Invicta racing team decided not to bring him into the pits retaining track position as the team principal commented safety car killed their strategy. Maini finally pitted for soft tires with 2 laps to go and finished a disappointing 12th place against what could have been a race win.

“Finally a race winner of a Formula 2 Feature Race. It feels great to do it here in Melbourne especially, it’s such an amazing track. Really happy and see you in Imola!”

-Isack Hadjar

“Obviously I am always thinking, the better result I get, the more points I get. We are all fighting for a Championship. It is early, there are a lot of rounds to go. It is not in my mind exactly but you know the better result, the more points so you are aiming to improve every race and get the most out of it. We did that today and hopefully, we can do that tomorrow.”

– Dennis Hauger after Sprint race.

“For sure, yesterday should have been a podium. From my side, I made a big mistake which lost me lots of places. Happy to be back on, bit of a chaotic race. For sure the pace has been good all year so far. I think we have proved that in each round. It is cool to have a clean Feature Race”

-Zane Maloney

Formula 2 : Melbourne Madness Roundup

Up Next

Formula 2 heads to Imola, Italy next for Round 4 from 18-19 May. Keep an eye on our channels for a detailed schedule in IST. You can catch all the F2 action live in India on F1TV Pro or Fancode’s Annual Subscription.

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Formula 2

Formula 2 Heads to Jeddah for Round 3 of the Championship: What to Expect

As Formula 2 heads to the high-speed streets of Jeddah, the championship battle heats up with rookies leading the charge and unpredictability defining the season’s early momentum.

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2025

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Formula 2 Heads to Jeddah for Round 3 of the Championship: What to Expect
Start of Feature Race in Jeddah in 2024. Photo - Formula Motorsports Limited

Formula 2 is headed to Jeddah for its first double-header of the season, fresh off the conclusion of Round 2 in Bahrain. With only two rounds and three races completed (the Feature Race in Melbourne was cancelled due to rain), the championship remains wide open, and no clear leader has emerged yet. We’ve seen three different drivers from three different teams take victory in the last three races, highlighting just how competitive this season is shaping up to be.

With Jeddah’s high-speed corners and technical challenges, it’ll be exciting to see who comes out on top this weekend. Here’s what to look forward to:

Read More: Formula 2 Bahrain Weekend Review: Rookies Shine in Bahrain

Kush Maini Looks to Reignite His Form from Last Year

Kush Maini hasn’t had the start to the season he was hoping for. After two rounds, he’s yet to score a point, with a best finish of 16th. Having switched teams at the end of last year with the goal of mounting a serious championship challenge, the opening two weekends have been underwhelming, to say the least.

Fortunately for him, he’s now heading to a track that holds some great memories. Last year in Jeddah, Kush took pole position and followed it up with a strong second-place finish in the Feature Race.

“The biggest challenge is to put a lap together. You can’t lose focus, the intensity is high the whole way, which I really enjoy as a challenge.” said Kush Maini

Another factor working in his favour: the current championship leader has just 26 points, meaning a strong result this weekend could throw him right back into the mix at the top. As always, hopes are high for the Indian driver, and all eyes will be on him to see if he can bounce back in style.

Prema Looking to Return to Winning Ways

Prema is a team that’s used to being at the top. As the most successful outfit in the feeder series, their 2025 campaign has been surprisingly quiet so far, they’re yet to step onto the podium, let alone claim a win in Formula 2 this season.

The team showed promise during the in-season test in Bahrain, however, that momentum didn’t quite carry into race weekend, as Prema walked away from Round 2 with just four points.

Formula 2 Heads to Jeddah for Round 3 of the Championship: What to Expect
Gabriel Minì of Prema Racing during Round 2 of the Formula 2 Championship in Bahrain. (Photo – Prema Racing)

Now, they return to a venue where their record speaks volumes. Statistically, Prema is the most successful team in Jeddah, having taken three race wins on the Saudi streets—Oscar Piastri (Sprint Race 2 and Feature Race, 2021) and Frederik Vesti (Feature Race, 2023).

Armed with a strong and promising driver lineup of Gabriele Minì and Sebastian Montoya, Prema will be aiming to reignite their title push this weekend. They’ll certainly be one of the teams to watch under the lights in Jeddah.

Leonardo Fornaroli Wants to Continue His Run of Good Form

In a season where multiple rookies have impressed so far, Leonardo Fornaroli has emerged as the standout performer. The Italian currently leads the championship, having scored two podiums in the first three races, including a stunning pole position in Bahrain.

Leonardo Fornaroli of Italy and Invicta Racing (1) drives on track during qualifying ahead of Round 2 Sakhir of the Formula 2 Championship at Bahrain International Circuit on April 11, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by James Sutton - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)
Leonardo Fornaroli of Invicta Racing (1) drives on track during qualifying ahead of Round 2 Sakhir. (Photo by James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)

The stats are in his favour heading into Jeddah as well—Invicta Racing were competitive at this circuit last year, taking both a pole and a podium. That momentum seems to have carried into 2025, with the team showing strong pace once again.

Invicta are looking to build on their successful 2024 campaign, where they clinched both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships, and with Fornaroli in top form, they’ll be aiming to extend their lead in the standings this weekend.

Can the Rookies Continue Their Strong Start?

The top two drivers in the current standings are rookies, and an impressive five rookies sit within the top ten of the Drivers’ Championship. While only one of them, Alex Dunne, who won the Feature Race in Bahrain, has taken a victory so far, the rookies have undoubtedly made their presence felt.

Formula 2 Heads to Jeddah for Round 3 of the Championship: What to Expect
Formula 2 Bahrain Feature Race podium. Left to right – Luke Browning, Alex Dunne, Leonardo Fornaroli. Photo – Formula Motorsports Limited.

Leonardo Fornaroli and Alex Dunne lead the way, but there’s more to come from the likes of Arvid Lindblad and Gabriele Minì, two highly rated young talents who are yet to fully showcase their potential. Both drivers are widely regarded within feeder series circles and are expected to deliver big results.

Jeddah presents a unique challenge. With none of the rookies having raced here before, it will be interesting to see whether the more experienced drivers can capitalize, or if the rookies will once again adapt quickly and continue their standout form.

All to play for in Jeddah

This is the closest the standings have been heading into Round 3, with just six points separating the top five drivers in the Drivers’ Championship. Leonardo Fornaroli leads the way with 26 points, but with the field so tight, any driver who delivers a strong weekend could find themselves right in the title fight.

Formula 2 Heads to Jeddah for Round 3 of the Championship: What to Expect
Jeddah track guide. Credits – Formula Motorsports Limited.

Formula 2 remains as unpredictable and competitive as ever; a strong result in one round is no guarantee of success in the next. For example, Fornaroli qualified 10th in Melbourne, but came back to take pole in Bahrain the very next round. Similarly, Rodin Motorsport won both races in Bahrain last year, only to struggle for pace in Jeddah the following weekend.

It’s that very unpredictability that makes Formula 2 so exciting, and with everything still wide open, it’s truly all to play for in Jeddah. We look forward to another thrilling chapter in this already fascinating season of F2.

Where to Watch Formula 2 in India

You can watch all the sessions of Formula 2 live in India on Fancode or F1TV. The schedule for the weekend in IST is given below.

Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 2 Bahrain Weekend Review: Rookies Shine in Bahrain

Formula 2 made its first stop of the double-header in Bahrain, in a weekend where Rookies proved their mettle.

Published

4 days ago

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April 15, 2025

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Leonardo Fornaroli of Italy and Invicta Racing (1) drives on track during qualifying ahead of Round 2 Sakhir of the Formula 2 Championship at Bahrain International Circuit on April 11, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain.


Bahrain delivered a thrilling spectacle to the 2025 Formula 2 season, with rookies proving that they’re ready to shake up the grid. From unexpected poles to last-lap heroics, the desert drama set the tone for what promised to be a fiercely competitive campaign.

Formula 2 Bahrain Weekend Review: Rookies Shine in Bahrain

(Credit – feederseries.net)


Qualifying: Fornaroli Storms to Maiden Pole

Last year’s Formula 3 champion, Leo Fornaroli, stunned the field by grabbing his first-ever F2 pole position. The Italian rookie edged out experienced Frenchman Victor Martins to secure the top spot, delivering a confident statement in his debut qualifying session.

Behind them, Luke Browning and Alex Dunne locked out the second row in P3 and P4 respectively. Speaking after the session, Dunne said, “Not happy, but not unhappy,” suggesting he still had more pace to extract.

The third row featured a more seasoned duo — Roman Stanek and Richard Verschoor, both looking strong heading into the weekend.

On the other end of the spectrum, Indian driver Kush Maini struggled for pace, qualifying down in P20, and leaving himself a mountain to climb in both races.


Sprint Race: Pepe Marti Masters the Chaos

Starting from P11, Pepe Marti lit up the track with a storming drive in Saturday’s Sprint Race. The Spaniard launched off the line, gaining five positions on the opening lap to sit P6. He held station until Lap 16 when a late-race Safety Car was triggered by Max Esterson’s retirement on track.

Pepe Marti crosses the line to win the Formula 2 Sprint Race in Bahrain.
Pepe Marti crosses the line to win the Sprint Race in Bahrain.

At the restart, Marti wasted no time overtaking Villagomez into Turn 1 and capitalizing on a scrap between Richard Verschoor and Alex Dunne just ahead. By Lap 22, chaos among the top three gave Marti the perfect opportunity – he picked off his rivals and soared into the lead as they crossed the line to start the final lap.

From there, it was all about defence. Marti expertly held off a late charge from Verschoor in the MP Motorsport car to claim a brilliant Sprint Race victory.



Drama Behind the Winner

Joshua Dürksen crossed the line in P3, but post-race scrutineering revealed a technical breach, leading to his disqualification. As a result, Dino Beganovic was promoted to the podium.

Leo Fornaroli, after starting P8 due to the reversed grid, had a muted race, losing one position and finishing P9. Meanwhile, Victor Martins, who started in P7, had a disastrous opening lap, dropping to the back of the field and finishing well outside the points.

One of the standout performances came from Oliver Goethe, who climbed ten positions from P15 to P5 — showcasing both speed and racecraft.


Formula 2 hits a big milestone

The Feature Race marked Formula 2’s 200th race start, showing the considerable success of the feeder series.



Feature Race: Alex Dunne Dominates to Make History

After a disappointing Sprint Race where he finished P19, Alex Dunne came back swinging in Sunday’s Feature Race. Starting from P4, the Irish rookie had a lightning launch, jumping to P2 by the end of the first lap. He stayed locked in behind pole-sitter Leo Fornaroli until Lap 6, when he lined up the overtake — and made it stick at the start of Lap 7 to take the lead.

When the pit window opened, Dunne’s team pulled the trigger early, calling him in on Lap 17 to cover off a potential undercut from Fornaroli. From there, it was a masterclass in race management. Dunne pulled away in the second stint and crossed the finish line with a commanding 8.244-second lead — securing his first-ever Formula 2 victory and becoming the first Irish driver to win in the series.


Pepe Marti The Master Of Starts

After Pepe’s brilliant Sprint Race, he said on his team radio, “Try and do it all over again, shall we?” and he did exactly that. Starting from P11 once again for the Feature Race, Marti had a storming start, gaining 6 positions on Lap 1. He moved up into P4 soon enough after overtaking Roman Stanek. Coming into Lap 7, he pulled a brilliant move on Villagomez, placing him in the Top 3. At the first round of pitstops, he got undercut by Luke Browning which dropped him back to P4. Marti made a valiant effort to get back into the top 3.

Fornaroli Takes Debut Podium

Leonardo Fornaroli started on pole for the feature race. He dropped to P2 losing the lead to the storming Alex Dunne on Lap 7. Come to the end of the race, he had a brilliant battle with Pepe Marti for the final podium spot after he was also jumped by Luke Browning in the pits.




A weekend to forget for Kush Maini

It was a tough weekend for the Indian Driver. Having qualified in P20, he had his work cut-out for him. In the sprint, he moved up 3 positions to P17, and for the Feature Race he managed to move up into P18. It was a learning weekend for Kush – hopefully he can iron out the issues and move closer to the top in Saudi next weekend.



Driver Standings

After the weekend in Bahrain, the Driver Standings have closed up at the top with 2 rookies topping the standings.

As for the constructors, Hitech GP stands on top after this round, jumping up 3 spots from where they were after Round 1 in Australia, with Campos Racing trailing behind by 6 points. Invicta Racing isn’t far off either being just 1 point away from Campos Racing.

MP Motorsport and Rodin Motorsport are in a fight for 4th in the Constructors having 27 and 25 points respectively

Next week in Jeddah

It’s a doubleheader for the Feeder Series. After two gruelling races in the desert, they will go racing in Saudi next, a track known for its dangerous walls and high speeds. The drivers will need to have utmost precision throughout the weekend.

Saudi is known to be a stronger track for some drivers including the Indian driver Kush Maini, who took pole position last year round. He’ll be hoping to learn from the last 2 race weekends and return to form in Saudi.

Something to look at is the rookies that are currently atop the WDC Standings. Will they be able to continue their run and leave the field behind? Or will they drop off in the next few rounds?

Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir

After a rain-shortened weekend in Melbourne, Formula 2 heads to Bahrain with high expectations, rising tensions, and redemption on the minds of several drivers.

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1 week ago

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April 11, 2025

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Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir

As the Formula 2 paddock returns to the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir for the second round of the 2024 season, anticipation builds for another action-packed weekend. Following an intense in-season test held at the end of March, teams and drivers are ready to go racing under the floodlights at one of the championship’s most technically demanding circuits.

The 5.412-kilometre Bahrain layout offers a unique mix of long straights, heavy braking zones, and technical sequences. With three DRS zones and high-degradation conditions due to the abrasive desert tarmac, tyre strategy will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome. Drivers must manage rear tyre wear carefully while navigating heavy braking corners like Turn 1, Turn 4, and Turn 11—all hotspots for overtakes and potential mistakes.

A Cloud Over Testing: Technical Infringement Controversy

This weekend follows the in-season test at Bahrain, where controversy struck after three teams—Rodin Motorsport, Trident, and DAMS Lucas Oil—were penalized for violating technical regulations. They were found drilling holes in the car floors to collect airflow data using pressure sensors, which is strictly prohibited. As a result, all four affected drivers received 10-place grid penalties at the previous round in Melbourne and will carry the consequences into this round as well.

Recap: What Happened in Melbourne?

The Melbourne round was shortened to a single race due to heavy rain cancelling the feature race. Joshua Dürksen of AIX Racing claimed his maiden victory after a strong start, followed by Leonardo Fornaroli (Invicta Racing) and Luke Browning (Hitech Pulse-Eight).

Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir
Cars line up in the pitlane during Red Flag in the F2 Feature Race in Melbourne – Photo – Formula Motorsports Limited.

Two safety cars disrupted the race, both triggered by crashes involving Trident Racing drivers. Unfortunately, India’s Kush Maini could only manage 16th after starting at the back due to his grid penalty. Despite showing pace, the DAMS driver couldn’t make significant progress through the field.

READ MORE: Formula 2 Australia: Durksen dominates Saturday, Rain Dominates Sunday

Track Guide: Bahrain International Circuit

Nestled in the heart of Sakhir’s desert landscape, the Bahrain International Circuit, a
5.412-kilometre track, blends blistering straights with intricate technical sequences; it has four long straights with three DRS zones and heavy breaking corners at turn 1, turn 4 and turn 11. As for the Tyre wear the abrasive track surface and high temperatures in Bahrain accelerate tyre wear, particularly on the rear axle. Teams often adopt mixed strategies, leading to diverging pace and overtaking during pit cycles. F2’s mandatory pit stops further amplify this dynamic

Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir

Bahrain International Circuit (Credits: @formula 2 )

Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir

Tech Info (Credits: @formula 2 )

Who to Watch This Weekend

Gabriele Minì

The Italian rookie continues to impress. After climbing from P11 to P7 in the Melbourne sprint race, Minì nearly secured pole for the feature before receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Joshua Crampton. He already has a podium to his name from the Baku sprint race and looks poised to challenge for the title.

Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir
Gabriele Minì during the Bahrain in-season test – Photo – Formula Motorsports Limited

Victor Martins

Now a Williams Driver Academy member, Martins had a bittersweet Melbourne round. Despite inheriting pole position for the feature race (which was ultimately cancelled), he retired early in the sprint after damaging his suspension. However, Martins topped the timesheets on Day 1 of in-season testing in Bahrain and will be eager to bounce back.

Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir
Victor Martins during in-season testing at Bahrain – Photo – Formula Motorsports Limited.

Rodin Motorsport & DAMS Lucas Oil

While the penalty hurt their Melbourne results, both teams showed promising one-lap pace in qualifying. Kush Maini, Jak Crawford, Alexander Dunne, and Amaury Cordeel all missed out on points in the sprint, but Bahrain’s layout and tyre strategies could play to their strengths. Both outfits look solidly placed in the upper midfield based on their current form.

Formula 2 Returns to Bahrain: What to Expect from Round 2 at Sakhir
Jack Crawford of DAMS Lucas Oil during Bahrain in-season test – Photo – Formula Motorsports Limited.

Kush Maini

After a tough start to the season marred by penalties, Maini is looking to reset in Bahrain. Despite a 10-place penalty in Melbourne, he showed flashes of pace in qualifying. With a clean weekend and strong strategy, Maini could be back fighting at the top soon.

Weather Forecast: Hot, Dry, and Windy

Friday, April 11 – Practice & Qualifying

  • Practice: Clear skies, ~33°C, wind 20–30 kph
  • Qualifying: ~30°C, persistent northerly winds, minimal rain chances

Saturday, April 12 – Sprint Race

  • Temperature: 26–28°C
  • Conditions: Partly cloudy with light northerly winds, no rain expected

Sunday, April 13 – Feature Race

Conditions: Dry, mild winds (5–15 kph), low humidity, minimal rain chances

Temperature: ~29°C

Broadcast timings

As Bahrain sets the stage for Round 2, fans can expect strategy-driven racing, tyre drama, and redemption arcs for several drivers looking to turn their season around. Keep an eye on the evolving championship battle—it’s only just getting started.

Desi Racing Co. brings you the latest updates and insights from Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, and more! Stay connected for in-depth motorsport analysis—follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for all the latest news and updates.

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