After a four-week break, it was Prema’s Ollie Bearman that rose to the top when on-track action returned with Formula 2 practice in Azerbaijan.
Bearman’s time of 1:54.063 saw him sit two-tenths ahead of Isack Hadjar. Kush Maini ended the session third fastest.
The other Prema of Frederik Vesti was fourth fastest ahead of Ralph Boschung and Theo Pourchaire.
The Baku City Circuit provides a great challenge for drivers. The first two sectors of the circuit are highly technical, with the final third of the track – a 2km long straight – a welcome break from the focus demanded early in the lap.
Drivers were keen to get the laps in early on, partly due to the track having been resurfaced since the championship’s last visit in 2022.
Roy Nissany brought out the first yellow flag of the session. The Israeli driver went deep into turn one but was able to continue without any drama. Boschung made the same mistake in the latter stages of the session.
Hitech GP’s Hadjar was the pacesetter at the halfway stage with a 1:54.882. Richard Verschoor and Pourchiare were next fastest, both three-tenths adrift.
Bahrain Feature Race podium sitter Zane Maloney was the next driver to find the escape road. The Barbadian went straight on at turn three but was able to rejoin the action after performing an awkward manoeuvre to avoid the barriers.
The session ended under red flags following an incident for Arthur Leclerc. The Ferrari Driver Academy member span at the exit of turn two with one minute remaining. Leclerc was unable to keep his DAMs running but avoided contact with the barriers.
Despite the obvious dangers of the Baku City Circuit, all 22 drivers enjoyed a damage-free 45 minutes of practice.
Formula 2 returns to track later today with qualifying set for 15:00 local time.
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