The Circuit de Monaco, a legendary and iconic venue in motorsport, is set to host an exciting weekend filled with Formula 2 and Formula 3 racing. This year, the event will introduce a unique format to the qualifying sessions, dividing them into two separate groups. Each group will consist of half the drivers, ensuring that the competition remains intense and the track remains manageable. Ahead of this thrilling weekend, F2 drivers Pepe Martí and Joshua Dürksen shared their thoughts on this innovative format and what it means for their performance.
Monaco stands out as a singular track on the racing calendar, characterized by its 19-turn layout that stretches over a length of 3.337 kilometers, making it the shortest circuit for both Formula 2 and Formula 3. Due to the limited space on the track, drivers often find it challenging to secure clean laps, especially with a full roster of 22 F2 and 30 F3 competitors striving for their best times. The narrow, twisting nature of the Monaco circuit, bordered by protective guardrails, significantly limits overtaking opportunities, prompting drivers to take greater risks during qualifying to enhance their starting positions.
Since 2012, the qualifying format for F2 at Monaco has involved splitting drivers into two groups based on their car numbers—odd and even. Each session lasts for 16 minutes, a departure from the traditional single 30-minute session typically held on Friday afternoons. This approach not only alleviates congestion but also minimizes the likelihood of drivers encountering traffic or yellow flags during their critical laps.
The decision to implement this split format emerged after a chaotic qualifying session during the GP2 series in 2011. That year, a 30-minute session witnessed multiple incidents involving notable drivers such as Romain Grosjean, Marcus Ericsson, and Oliver Turvey, primarily due to the stark speed variations between drivers on flying laps and those on slower laps. The current two-group system was introduced to enhance safety and fairness, ensuring that drivers have a better opportunity to post competitive times without the interference of slower traffic.
Under this revised format, drivers who clock the fastest times in their respective groups will secure odd-numbered grid positions for the feature race, including the highly coveted pole position. For the sprint race, the top ten drivers from the feature race will have their positions reversed, allowing a driver from the slower group to start in the pole position. The grid positions from 11 to 22 will remain consistent across both races.
Formula 3 adopts a similar two-group qualifying format, with 15 out of the 30 participating cars in each half of the 16-minute session. The system mirrors that of Formula 2, except for the fact that the top 12 positions are reversed for the sprint race.
While qualifying is conducted in two groups, all cars take to the track together during a single 45-minute practice session that kicks off the Monaco weekend on Thursday. This session allows drivers to familiarize themselves with the circuit, which is notoriously tight and demanding.
Both Martí and Dürksen are gearing up for their second time racing in Monaco for Formula 2. In 2023, Martí claimed victory in F3’s first sprint race at the circuit, starting from the front row after qualifying in 11th place. Dürksen, on the other hand, made his Monaco debut in 2022 during his first season in Formula Regional Europe, qualifying 12th overall.
Martí, currently ranked sixth in the drivers’ standings as the weekend approaches, expressed his concerns about traffic during practice sessions, given the cramped nature of the track. “The track only takes about 83 seconds to complete for us,” Martí shared during a pre-event media roundtable. “With 22 drivers in free practice, it only gives us about four seconds of track time each. Naturally, there are always some drivers who aim for six seconds, which can lead to congestion and traffic for those at the front.”
He also noted the added difficulty for his team, Campos, since they are positioned at the end of the pit lane, which could necessitate careful strategy and communication with his engineers during practice. “Managing our position in the pit lane will be crucial,” he added. “We need to be very aware of our surroundings and maintain good communication with our team.”
Both drivers faced challenges during their previous qualifying sessions at Monaco, where they qualified 10th out of 11 cars in their respective groups. Richard Verschoor, from Group A, set the fastest time across both sessions, leading to Dürksen starting in 19th place, despite being just 0.161 seconds slower than Martí, who lined up in 20th.
Dürksen reflected on the chaos that could ensue if all 22 cars were allowed on the track simultaneously. “If you put all 22 cars out there, it would be complete madness,” he remarked. “The traffic would be unbearable, almost like trying to navigate the streets of Monaco at 5 PM. This split format is beneficial for all of us.”
The two drivers have also made notable improvements since their last outings. Martí had a strong start to his season, even reaching as high as second in the drivers’ standings before facing a challenging weekend in Imola, where he qualified 11th. During the feature race, he opted for a strategy involving longer-lasting soft tires, only to have a mid-race safety car neutralize any potential advantage. Ultimately, Martí finished 14th after a 16th-place finish in the sprint race.
Despite the difficulties at Imola, Martí’s performance in 2025 marks a significant improvement compared to his previous season, where he struggled against his Campos teammate, Isack Hadjar. Hadjar, who finished second in 2024, set a benchmark for Martí, who aspires to build on that success. “The goal was always to have a season similar to Isack’s,” Martí explained. “While my season started off strong, his real breakthrough came mid-season, particularly at Spa. I aim to push myself further and achieve even better results.”
As the drivers gear up for the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, the competition is fierce. Rookie Alex Dunne currently leads the drivers’ standings with 64 points, closely followed by Luke Browning with 58 points. Verschoor, the previous leader, is now in third with 55 points, while Leonardo Fornaroli and Arvid Lindblad round out the top five positions with 52 and 45 points, respectively. Martí sits sixth with 41 points, just ahead of Imola sprint winner Jak Crawford, who has 38 points, and Victor Martins, who has 33. Dino Beganovic holds ninth place with 29 points, while Oliver Goethe completes the top ten with 12 points.
As the excitement builds for the Monaco race weekend, fans and teams alike anticipate a thrilling showcase of talent and strategy, with the unique qualifying format promising to add an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings.
