Formula 2 Baku Grand Prix: A Weekend of Triumphs and Trials
The Formula 2 season reached a thrilling chapter in Baku, where the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement. The twelfth round of the 2025 season was marked by unexpected twists and noteworthy performances, setting the stage for a riveting conclusion to the championship. In this weekend’s events, Jak Crawford emerged victorious in the feature race after securing pole position, while Dino Beganovic celebrated his first career win in the sprint event. Let’s delve deeper into the highlights and significant moments from this chaotic race weekend.
Changes in Team Line-Up: Trident Shakes Things Up
Prior to the Baku Grand Prix, Trident Racing announced a significant change in its driver lineup, replacing Sami Megueounif and Max Esterson with Laurens van Hoepen and Martinius Stenshorne. This move added an element of intrigue to the race weekend, as fans and analysts speculated on how the new drivers would perform under pressure.
The qualifying session itself faced disruptions, with three red flags preventing many drivers from finding their rhythm. Despite the chaos, Jak Crawford managed to navigate the challenges and clinch the pole position. Meanwhile, Beganovic, who started second on the sprint race grid, made a remarkable leap to secure his first win, leading a 1-2 finish for Hitech on Saturday.
Fornaroli’s Uncharacteristic Struggles
Leonardo Fornaroli had established himself as a dominant force throughout the 2025 season, consistently finishing within the points. However, the Baku circuit proved to be a challenging venue for the Invicta Racing driver. Despite scoring points in both races, his performance marked a departure from his previous successes, raising questions about his championship aspirations.
In the sprint race, Fornaroli qualified ninth and struggled to keep pace with the front-runners, ultimately finishing fifth. His race was further complicated by a late engine failure suffered by Sebastián Montoya, which allowed Fornaroli to gain an additional position. Sunday’s feature race began more promisingly for the 20-year-old, as he initially took the lead after passing Crawford at the start. However, a poorly timed pit stop following a safety car deployment would hinder his progress.
During the pit cycle, Fornaroli’s team faced logistical challenges, causing him to lose positions to rivals like Gabriele Minì and Pepe Martí. While he attempted to regain his footing, a significant error at Turn 1 led to a collision with Alex Dunne, resulting in a 10-second penalty that ultimately dropped him to fifth place in the final standings. Although Fornaroli secured 14 points over the weekend, the missed opportunity to maximize his score left him vulnerable in the championship race.
Crawford’s Resurgence in the Title Fight
After a disappointing outing in Monza, where mechanical issues cost him valuable points, Jak Crawford arrived in Baku determined to reclaim his position in the title hunt. Starting with a strong practice session, he quickly established himself as a frontrunner by topping the charts in qualifying.
Crawford’s luck turned in his favor during the qualifying session, as red flag incidents hindered the progress of his competitors, allowing him to secure pole. In the sprint race, he finished fourth, gaining crucial points, which set the tone for his performance in the feature race. Though he initially lost positions to Fornaroli and Minì, Crawford demonstrated resilience by reclaiming his position after the pit stops.
Following the safety car restart, Crawford maintained close proximity to Minì, allowing him to regain the lead on lap 10. His determination paid off as he held off a late charge from Joshua Dürksen, crossing the finish line just 0.216 seconds ahead. This victory not only boosted Crawford’s confidence but also narrowed the gap between him and championship leader Fornaroli, bringing the title race back into contention.
The Title Hopes of Verschoor and Dunne Fade
Richard Verschoor and Alex Dunne, once considered strong contenders for the championship, faced disheartening weekends that significantly diminished their chances of clinching the title. Both drivers had previously showcased their capabilities by winning feature races, but recent performances revealed a stark contrast to their early-season form.
Dunne managed to showcase impressive speed throughout the Baku races, finishing third in the sprint. However, a series of unfortunate events marred his feature race performance. After experiencing front tyre issues, he struggled to maintain his pace and ultimately retired from the race after another lock-up sent him off the track. With a significant points deficit to Fornaroli, Dunne’s title ambitions effectively came to an end.
Verschoor’s weekend mirrored Dunne’s struggles, as he failed to secure a podium finish for the third consecutive round. Although he qualified 11th and managed to score some points, his overall performance was not enough to keep him in the championship battle. With 37 points separating him from Fornaroli, Verschoor’s chances of winning the title appeared slim.
Hitech’s Stellar Weekend: Beganovic and Browning Shine
Hitech Grand Prix had a weekend to remember, showcasing their potential and competitiveness in both races. After a season characterized by ups and downs, the team finally secured their first victories, with Beganovic and Browning delivering an impressive performance.
In the sprint race, Beganovic dominated the field, claiming victory while Browning worked his way up to secure second place. On Sunday, Beganovic continued his strong performance, moving from ninth on the grid to finish third in the feature race. Despite a challenging start, Browning’s earlier success demonstrated that Hitech had the pace to compete at the front.
With 34 points scored over the weekend, Hitech closed the gap to championship leaders Invicta Racing, now trailing by just 12 points. The team’s recent resurgence positioned them as serious contenders in the teams’ championship, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season.
Stenshorne’s Impressive Debut
In the midst of the driver changes at Trident, Martinius Stenshorne made a strong impression during his debut weekend. Despite facing challenges, the McLaren junior showcased his talent and determination.
Stenshorne qualified seventh and was fifth on the reversed grid for the sprint race. He displayed impressive racecraft, moving into second place before an unfortunate exhaust issue forced him to retire. On Sunday, he again showcased his potential by moving into fourth place early in the race, only to collide with Pepe Martí, resulting in both drivers suffering setbacks.
Despite the misfortunes, Stenshorne’s performance highlighted his capabilities and offered a glimpse of what he can achieve in the upcoming races. With a promising debut, he is set to make an impact in the future as he gears up for a full campaign in 2026.
Recap of Results and Standings After Round 12
The Baku Grand Prix concluded with a nail-biting finish, showcasing the thrilling nature of Formula 2 racing. Here’s a recap of the key results and current standings following this exciting round:
Results
Qualifying:
- Jak Crawford: 1:54.791
- Leonardo Fornaroli: +0.019s
- Gabriele Minì: +0.399s
Sprint Race (21 laps):
- Dino Beganovic: 48:46.810
- Luke Browning: +6.281s
- Alex Dunne: +7.309s
- Feature Race (29 laps):
- Jak Crawford: 1:00:40.563
- Joshua Dürksen: +0.216s
- Dino Beganovic: +5.371s
Standings
Drivers:
- Leonardo Fornaroli: 188 points
- Jak Crawford: 169 points
- Luke Browning: 161 points
- Richard Verschoor: 149 points
- Alex Dunne: 130 points
- Pepe Martí: 112 points
- Arvid Lindblad: 109 points
- Dino Beganovic: 96 points
- Roman Staněk: 81 points
- Sebastián Montoya: 76 points
- Teams:
- Invicta Racing: 269 points
- Hitech: 257 points
- Campos Racing: 227 points
- DAMS: 195 points
- MP Motorsport: 172 points
- Rodin Motorsport: 133 points
- Prema Racing: 132 points
- ART Grand Prix: 95 points
- AIX Racing: 66 points
- Van Amersfoort Racing: 28 points
This exciting weekend in Baku has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the Formula 2 season, with intense battles and unpredictable outcomes keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As the championship approaches its final rounds, every point will be crucial, and the pressure will only intensify. The stage is set for an exhilarating finish to the 2025 Formula 2 season!
