Gabriel Bortoleto tops track limit-dominated F2 qualifying at Imola

Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd

Invicta Racing’s Gabriel Bortoleto claimed Formula 2 pole position at Imola, his second in four rounds.

Campos Racing’s Isack Hadjar will line-up alongside the McLaren junior in Sunday’s feature race, with AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen in third after both Prema drivers had their laptimes deleted.

Bortoleto and Rodin Motorsport’s Maloney exchanged first place on the first set of tyres. The McLaren junior improved on his second flying lap to set a benchmark of 1m27.739s. Meanwhile, the Sauber junior could not lower his laptime, staying 0.271 seconds off.

Behind them, Hadjar headed both AIX Racing drivers, who enjoyed a very strong first run.

MP Motorsport’s Franco Colapinto went off at Acque Minerali, but managed to stop before hitting the barrier and rejoined. ART Grand Prix’s Victor Martins also had issues approaching the Variante Alta and cut the chicane as a consequence.

Trident’s Roman Stanek went momentarily fastest as drivers headed out on a fresh set of the super-soft compound. Local star Andrea Kimi Antonelli soon beat him to the top spot, although it was his Prema teammate Ollie Bearman who was on top once everyone had crossed the finish line. Meanwhile, Hadjar slotted in-between them.

Few drivers improved on their second laps, but Bortoleto did so again pipping Bearman by half-a-tenth of a second. The Ferrari junior then had his laptime deleted, dropping him to 16th place.

Antonelli was also punished for exceeding track limits, dropping from fourth to 18th place. The Mercedes junior had already had his best laptime on the first set of tyres deleted.

Hadjar and Duerksen benefited from the most from it as they moved up to second and third respectively. Championship leader Maloney and Stanek rounded off the top five, while Colapinto is set to start the sprint race from first place.

Qualifying results