As Formula 2 wrapped up Round 3 of the 2025 season under the lights of Jeddah, the championship delivered yet another action-packed weekend. Richard Verschoor finally secured a win that wasn’t taken away by penalties or post-race investigations, while Arvid Lindblad made headlines by becoming the youngest race winner in Formula 2 history. Here’s everything you need to know from the action-packed weekend in Jeddah

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

Martins Sets the Early Pace on Friday

Victor Martins wasted no time showing his speed, topping the timing sheets in the sole free practice session on Friday. The session began with Joshua Dürksen setting the early benchmark at 1:49.034, before Martins responded with a 1:47.735—a time that would continue to drop as the session unfolded.

Kush Maini then jumped to the top with a 1:46.437, putting himself three-tenths clear of the field. However, his DAMS teammate Jack Crawford closed that gap down to just 0.013s moments later. Martins wasn’t done yet, reclaiming the top spot with a 1:46.432. Maini soon returned to the pits and would remain there for the rest of the session, suggesting a possible issue with the car.

Dürksen briefly returned to P1 before the session entered its final minutes, but Martins once again delivered, posting a 1:45.671, the fastest time of the session. Sebastian Montoya also had a noteworthy session, finishing sixth fastest before coming to a halt on track as the session concluded.

Montoya comes to a halt off-track as the session draws to a close, having finished sixth fastesthttps://t.co/qLgyAl7LUL#F2 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/xp33vN4uhX

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 18, 2025

Jack Crawford Snatches Pole in the Dying Minutes at Jeddah

Jack Crawford left it late but delivered when it mattered most, snatching pole position in the final moments of qualifying.

It was Victor Martins who initially set the benchmark, going fastest on the first round of flying laps with a 1:44.559—three tenths clear of the rest of the field. But the pace quickly ramped up on the second push laps, as Arvid Lindblad jumped to the top with a 1:44.250.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the field returned to the track for a final push. Gabriele Minì briefly took the top spot before being displaced by Luke Browning. The session was then interrupted by a red flag after John Bennett found the barriers at Turn 17.

With only five minutes left on the clock, the session resumed, and tensions were high. Martins looked poised to reclaim pole, but it was Jack Crawford who delivered a blistering lap to edge him out by just 0.022s, securing his second career pole in Formula 2 and the first for DAMS since 2023.

Leonardo Fornaroli rounded out the top three, with Browning in fourth and Lindblad settling for fifth. Alex Dunne and his Campos teammate Josep María Martí locked out the third row in sixth and seventh, respectively, while Minì, Verschoor, and Roman Stanek completed the top 10.

Kush Maini qualified 12th and will line up from P12 for both the Sprint and Feature Races this weekend.

Arvid Lindblad Becomes the Youngest Race Winner in Formula 2

History was made in Jeddah on Saturday as 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad became the youngest race winner in Formula 2 history, delivering a composed and mature drive to victory in the Sprint Race.

The reverse grid format initially placed Roman Staněk on pole, but the Czech driver was handed a three-place grid penalty for both races after impeding Alexander Dunne during qualifying. This handed Richard Verschoor the pole position for the Sprint.

Verschoor made a clean getaway and held the lead into Turn 1. However, the action behind was immediately disrupted as Cian Shields of AIX Racing clipped the barrier at Turn 1 and came to a stop on track, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car (VSC).

Once racing resumed on Lap 3, the Campos Racing duo wasted no time. Josep María Martí quickly moved up the order and passed Verschoor to take the lead, but the Dutchman came back just a lap later, reclaiming the position with an aggressive move that ultimately earned him a 5-second time penalty for forcing Martí off the track.

Moments later, Lindblad made his move on Martí to climb into second place, setting the stage for a tense final stint.

The race was neutralised again after Jack Crawford collided with Gabriele Minì, spinning out at Turn 1. Following a brief safety car period, racing resumed on Lap 18, with Verschoor still leading on the road, followed closely by Lindblad and Martí.

Verschoor crossed the finish line first, but his time penalty dropped him to P4, handing the win to Arvid Lindblad, who etched his name into the record books with a historic performance. Alex Dunne was promoted to P3, joining Lindblad and Martí on the podium.

“Really happy with the result today, youngest ever F2 race winner. A huge thank you to the team, a really good race coming from P6 to P1. A shame to Richard for the penalty, but super happy to win and looking forward to tomorrow now.” – Arvid Lindblad.

Richard Verschoor keeps a win he earned

Richard Verschoor would not get his win taken away this time around as the MP Motorsport driver makes the alternate strategy work to perfection to win the Feature Race on the streets of Jeddah.

Jack Crawford got the perfect start off the line to keep his lead going into turn 1 ahead of Victor Martins, both starting on the traditional supersofts. Further back, Richard Verschoor, who started the race from 9th position, would gamble his race on the alternative strategy.

The first round of pit stops came around lap 7 when those on the supersofts came into the pits to get rid of them and put on a fresh set of mediums. This put Richard Verschoor in the clean air, and gave him a chance to push on the mediums he started his race on. Meanwhile, after the pit stops, Jack Crawford and Victor Martins duelled it out to keep the track position for the net race lead, with Crawford staying ahead of the Frenchman.

On Lap 24, Verschoor finally came into the pits to put on a set of Supersofts and start his hunt for the race win. Verschoor would come out in 4th, slotting in ahead of Martins and just behind Crawford, with the top two yet to pit. At the start of Lap 28, the final lap, Richard Verschoor would drive past Jack Crawford with the help of DRS on the main straight and take the lead of the race, having started all the way back at 9th on the grid.

The chequered flag would drop and Richard Verschoor would win the Feature Race, making him the fifth different winner in 5 different races. Jack Crawford would follow in second with Victor Martins rounding out the podium.

“To be honest, when the race started, I wasn’t happy with the balance. But the more the race went on, the car came alive. I think we were the fastest car on track even though we were on the opposite strategy.” said Richard Verschoor

Josep María Martí finished fifth for Campos, followed by Luke Browning, Arvid Lindblad, Alex Dunne, Gabriele Minì, and Kush Maini, who rounded out the points in tenth.

Championship Standings

Richard Verschoor takes the lead of the Drivers’ Championship thanks to his win in the feature race, while a strong weekend from both Campos drivers helps them take the lead in the Teams’ Championship.

Straight to the 🔝

Verschoor's Feature Race victory sends him to the summit of the Driver Standings 👊

And Crawford's exploits see him surge into the top 10 🚀#F2 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/UrjRlRQN3V

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 20, 2025

Campos keep their lead…

…but MP Motorsport are now their nearest challengers 💥#F2 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/I6KfsZZsgA

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 20, 2025

Up Next

Formula 2 takes a short break before returning to action in Imola for Round 4 of the championship from 16th to 18th May.

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.

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 for him. 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 that works in his favour is that 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.

Difficult weekend but leaving Sakhir with clarity on what we can improve on as a team @damsracing

Looking forward to Jeddah, a track with good memories, having started from Pole last year pic.twitter.com/UFJTgUU8p1

— Kush Maini (@kmainiofficial) April 14, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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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.

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.

(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.

Nice. 👌

Fornaroli's quickest time can't be beaten as he picks up his first #F2 pole position 👏#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/8FP1ZYf2sz

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 11, 2025

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.

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.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!

P11 to P1, that's WHAT 🤯

VAMOOOOOS PEPE!!! 💪💪#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/XKi6IGH5gK

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 12, 2025

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.

What exactly do you say when you cross the line after a race like that?!

Take it away, Pepe 🗣️#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/DEINLKbxyI

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 12, 2025

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.

Not the start Victor Martins would have wanted 😬

He sends pieces of polystyrene flying and drops to the back of the pack#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/zbSHG1n4cL

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 12, 2025

Formula 2 hits a big milestone

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

TWO. HUNDRED. RACES.

And we’re just getting started! 😉

A massive thank you to everyone who’s helped us reach this incredible milestone ❤️#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/P3p85hxva9

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 13, 2025

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.

HISTORY MADE IN OUR 200TH RACE!!!!! 🎉

A FIRST #F2 VICTORY FOR IRELAND!!! 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

ALEX DUNNE, TAKE A BOW!!! 🙌🙌#BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/fXITfpTbnc

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 13, 2025

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.

Taking the plaudits on the podium from the Feature Race 🏆

🥇 Dunne 🇮🇪
🥈 Browning 🇬🇧
🥉 Fornaroli 🇮🇹#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/urEw3DFo63

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 13, 2025

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.

Difficult weekend but leaving Sakhir with clarity on what we can improve on as a team @damsracing

Looking forward to Jeddah, a track with good memories, having started from Pole last year pic.twitter.com/UFJTgUU8p1

— Kush Maini (@kmainiofficial) April 14, 2025

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

It's shaping up to be a fierce battle at the front 👀#F2 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/oOwmVt7iJN

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 13, 2025

Hitech TGR are the big winners after the #BahrainGP weekend, rising to the top of the #F2 Team Standings 💪 pic.twitter.com/AVwGHTaczu

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) April 13, 2025

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?

Difficult weekend but leaving Sakhir with clarity on what we can improve on as a team @damsracing

Looking forward to Jeddah, a track with good memories, having started from Pole last year pic.twitter.com/UFJTgUU8p1

— Kush Maini (@kmainiofficial) April 14, 2025

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.