RODIN MOTORSPORT SWEEPS F2 QUALIFYING IN BAKU AS STENSHORNE TAKES MAIDEN POLE
Rodin Motorsport enjoyed a perfect Formula 2 qualifying session in Baku, taking pole position in both qualifying sessions on Thursday. Alexander Dunne topped the first session, while his teammate Martinius Stenshorne went one step further by taking his first-ever Formula 2 pole position in the second session.
The first qualifying session was a chaotic one, with drivers trying to find the best possible slipstream on Baku’s long straights. Dunne managed to produce the fastest lap with a 1:55.383, finishing just 0.033 seconds ahead of Stenshorne. Noel León was third, followed by Kush Maini and Rafael Câmara. Championship leader Nikola Tsolov ended the session in 10th place.
The result of the first qualifying session also determines the starting order for both the Sprint Race and the first Feature Race, with the Sprint using a reverse grid. This means Tsolov’s 10th place gives him pole position for Friday morning’s Sprint Race, while Câmara will start sixth.
The second qualifying session produced another Rodin front-row lockout, but this time Stenshorne took the top spot. The Norwegian set a 1:53.728 to finish 0.445 seconds ahead of Dunne and claim his maiden Formula 2 pole position. Câmara improved to third, while Tsolov finished eighth.
Câmara therefore had a mixed qualifying result in Baku. The Invicta Racing driver will start sixth in the Sprint Race, fifth in the first Feature Race and third in the second Feature Race. Tsolov, meanwhile, will start from the front in the Sprint but only eighth in the second qualifying session.
Baku is hosting an unusual Formula 2 weekend this year. Because F2 is the only support championship at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the round has been expanded to include two qualifying sessions and two Feature Races alongside the Sprint Race. The first qualifying session sets the grids for the Sprint and first Feature Race, while the second qualifying session sets the grid for the second Feature Race.
The Sprint Race will take place on Friday morning with Nikola Tsolov starting from pole position, Laurens van Hoepen alongside him on the front row and Dino Beganovic starting third. Câmara will begin from sixth, giving the championship contender an opportunity to gain points despite missing out on the front row.
The second Feature Race will then see Stenshorne start from pole, with Dunne alongside him and Câmara starting from third. The Baku weekend could therefore be important for the championship battle, with Tsolov and Câmara starting in different positions across the three races and several points opportunities available during the expanded round.
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