This past weekend’s Formula 2 event in Bahrain was a thrilling spectacle, marked by intense on-track battles and a variety of strategic decisions during the races. As the 2025 season unfolds, this weekend provided insights into the dynamics of the F2 championship, showcasing both emerging talents and established performers in the feeder series.
Oliver Goethe and Leonardo Fornaroli Shine in Qualifying
The action kicked off on Friday, where Oliver Goethe set the pace during practice, but it was Leonardo Fornaroli who clinched pole position for the feature race. Fornaroli was flanked by Williams teammates Victor Martins and Luke Browning, who put in strong performances during the qualifying sessions. Saturday brought the sprint race, where Pepe Martí emerged victorious, finishing ahead of Richard Verschoor and Joshua Dürksen. However, Dürksen’s post-race disqualification due to a technical violation cast a shadow over his performance.
Alex Dunne’s Historic Victory
On Sunday, the spotlight shifted to Alex Dunne, who made headlines by becoming the first Irish driver to win a race in modern F2 history. His journey to the top was not without challenges, as he faced a difficult sprint race on Saturday, where he ended up in 19th place after receiving two penalties. However, Sunday was a different story altogether. Starting from fourth, Dunne swiftly moved up the ranks, securing the lead by lap seven and executing a flawless pit strategy. He extended his stint on soft tires and reclaimed the lead post-pit stop, ultimately finishing the race with a commanding eight-second lead over Browning, who secured second place.
Strategic Decisions: Soft vs. Hard Tires
The first feature race of the season introduced mandatory pit stops, leading to a fascinating contrast between drivers employing soft-hard and hard-soft strategies. Many competitors, including six of the top eight from the grid, opted for the soft-hard approach reminiscent of Zane Maloney’s successful strategy from the previous year. This decision initially seemed advantageous, as the top drivers maintained their positions early in the race. Dunne led the charge, followed closely by Fornaroli and Martí.
Victor Martins struggled with a poor start, which ultimately cost him valuable positions despite his strong qualifying. Meanwhile, Browning, who started on hard tires, made a strategic pit stop that allowed him to set the fastest lap of the race. His effective use of soft tires demonstrated the importance of tire management on a circuit known for high degradation.
Campos Racing’s Resilient Performance
The weekend began on a disappointing note for Campos Racing, with Martí and Arvid Lindblad qualifying in 11th and 16th positions, respectively. However, both drivers displayed impressive resilience over the course of the races. Martí’s sprint race was nothing short of remarkable, as he climbed to second place after starting from 11th, showcasing his ability to capitalize on opportunities and navigate through the field with skill.
In the feature race, Martí’s strong start again saw him making up places early on, ultimately finishing in fourth position. Lindblad also had a solid weekend, scoring points in both races. He demonstrated his potential by moving from 17th to eighth in the feature race, showcasing both tenacity and strategic awareness.
Rising Stars and Unexpected Standings
As the season progresses, it is clear that the newer drivers are making a significant impact. The current standings highlight this trend, with rookies like Fornaroli, Dunne, and Browning occupying the top three positions. This marks an intriguing shift in the dynamic of the championship, as experienced drivers, including Martí and Verschoor, find themselves trailing behind these emerging talents.
The standings reflect a competitive field, with several rookie drivers impressing in both qualifying sessions and race performances. The early season suggests that while experience is often touted as crucial in F2, the recent results challenge this notion.
Race Results and Standings
The weekend concluded with compelling results. In qualifying, Fornaroli clocked in at 1:44.008, followed closely by Martins and Browning. The sprint race saw Martí finish first, followed by Verschoor and Beganovic. In the feature race, Dunne’s victory was marked by a finishing time of 59:40.123, with Browning and Fornaroli rounding out the podium.
Current Driver Standings
- Leonardo Fornaroli – 26 points
- Alex Dunne – 25 points
- Luke Browning – 25 points
- Pepe Martí – 23 points
- Richard Verschoor – 21 points
- Dino Beganovic – 12 points
- Victor Martins – 12 points
- Joshua Dürksen – 11 points
- Arvid Lindblad – 8 points
- Gabriele Minì – 7 points
The standings reveal a tightly contested championship, with only five points separating the top five drivers. The coming rounds promise to deliver further excitement as teams and drivers look to refine their strategies and improve their performances.
Conclusion
This weekend’s Formula 2 action in Bahrain was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of motorsport. With a mix of seasoned competitors and fresh talent, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exhilarating yet. As the championship progresses, fans and teams alike will be eager to see how the dynamics unfold in the upcoming races.
