Jak Crawford Secures Pole Position in Formula 2 Qualifying at Baku

In an intense qualifying session at the Baku City Circuit, Jak Crawford of DAMS clinched pole position for the Formula 2 races, showcasing his talent amidst a flurry of interruptions. The session was marked by three red flags, which disrupted the rhythm and flow typical of qualifying events. However, Crawford’s impressive mid-session lap, clocking in at a time just 0.019 seconds faster than championship front-runner Leonardo Fornaroli, ultimately secured him the top spot on the grid.

A Chaotic Session

Qualifying sessions in motorsports often see drivers setting their fastest laps toward the end, as track conditions improve and confidence builds. However, during the 30-minute session in Baku, Crawford managed to set his best time with 17 minutes remaining. As the clock ticked down, the anticipation grew, and the drivers raced to secure their positions, but the disruptions made it a challenging task.

After a strong performance in practice, where Crawford led, fellow competitor Alex Dunne was the first to establish a benchmark time, recording a lap of 1:55.846 with 22 minutes still on the clock. However, shortly after, the session was halted due to a crash involving Dunne’s teammate, Amaury Cordeel, who lost control of his car through the challenging Turn 13 and collided with the outer wall.

The session resumed approximately 11 minutes later, and the drivers scrambled to make the most of the remaining time. Despite many not having set competitive times yet, Crawford quickly made his mark. His initial lap placed him in fifth position, but after the red flag, he improved dramatically, clocking a time 0.399 seconds faster than any competitor, effectively taking provisional pole ahead of Gabriele Minì and Fornaroli, who were separated by a mere 0.001 seconds.

The Impact of Red Flags

As the qualifying session progressed, Fornaroli managed to push past Minì with just over 13 minutes left, but he could not surpass Crawford’s time of 1:54.791, which kept him at the top of the timing sheets. The competitors returned to the pits for their final attempts, but the session was interrupted again when Victor Martins crashed at Turn 3, resulting in another red flag with just over four minutes to go. As a consequence of being deemed the sole cause of the red flag, Martins had his best lap time invalidated, dropping him from fourth to 13th in the qualifying rankings.

After the marshals cleared the scene and made repairs, the session started again nearly an hour after its initial commencement. The remaining time offered a glimmer of hope for drivers looking to improve their positions. However, just as drivers began their final flying laps, another red flag was thrown. This time, Roman Staněk miscalculated his braking point at Turn 1, resulting in a collision with John Bennett, which ended both of their sessions prematurely.

With only a minute left on the clock, the session could not be resumed, sealing the fate of the top runners. Staněk, like Martins, lost his best lap time and dropped from ninth to 12th, incurring a five-place grid penalty that would place him 17th for the races.

Insights from the Drivers

In the aftermath of the session, Crawford reflected on the chaotic nature of qualifying. “It was a chaotic one,” he remarked during the post-session press conference. “There was a lot of stress involved. You never want to secure pole position this way, but I was focused on my performance. I managed to keep my cool, got a solid lap in after the first red flag, and it turned out to be enough for pole.”

Gabriele Minì, who qualified third, shared his perspective on navigating the interruptions. “Having a session with so many breaks is always challenging,” he noted. “You have to maintain your focus and not assume the session is over until it actually concludes. In these cars, even a slight miscalculation can cost you valuable time.”

Minì made his Formula 2 debut at Baku last year, where he secured a podium finish, and his experience on street circuits has proven beneficial. Despite Prema’s struggles this season, he has consistently qualified in the top 10 at all street circuits, where risk-taking can lead to faster lap times.

The Championship Picture

For Crawford, securing pole position means he will earn two points, allowing him to narrow the gap to championship leader Fornaroli, who is now 35 points ahead of him. This season has been significant for Crawford, as he has maintained a record of qualifying in the top 10 at every round, laying the groundwork for his title challenge.

Following the red flag situation, Dunne was elevated to fourth place due to Martins’ time being invalidated, while Luke Browning, who is currently second in the drivers’ standings, matched Dunne’s time but will start fifth due to his earlier lap. Pepe Martí also performed well, achieving his best qualifying result of the season in sixth place, while newcomer Martinius Stenshorne from Trident secured an impressive seventh position.

Sebastián Montoya qualified eighth, followed by Dino Beganovic and Rafael Villagómez, who filled the ninth and tenth spots, respectively. Richard Verschoor, currently third in the drivers’ standings, faced disappointment as he qualified 11th, marking the fourth consecutive race weekend he has been outside the top 10.

Meanwhile, Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad recorded his lowest qualifying position of the season in 17th, although Staněk’s penalty will elevate him to start 16th for both races. Laurens van Hoepen, the other newcomer for Trident, finished the session in 20th.

Looking Ahead

As the drivers prepare for the races ahead, the stakes are high, especially for Crawford, who will aim to convert his pole position into a victory. The challenges of street circuits like Baku add an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the races, promising a thrilling weekend for fans and competitors alike. Each driver will be eager to navigate the twists and turns of the circuit, showcasing their skills while battling for crucial points in the championship standings.

The upcoming feature race will undoubtedly offer more drama and intrigue, as drivers jockey for position and seek to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the unique characteristics of the Baku City Circuit. With the potential for more incidents and the ever-present threat of red flags, the race is set to be a captivating spectacle for motorsport enthusiasts around the globe. As they brace for action, the drivers know that every lap counts, and the pursuit of glory is just beginning.