Formula 2 had reached its final stop in the 2024 calendar in Abu Dhabi. The weekend kicked off with free practice. This season brought a title fight that certainly won’t be forgotten because, Gabriel Bortoleto is leading Isack Hadjar by just 0.5 points coming into the weekend, with Paul Aron looking on 25.5 points behind.
The lights went green and a few drivers were out on track while others stayed in the pit lane.
Fornaroli makes his F2 debut
This weekend, the grid welcomed a new competitor, Formula 3 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli, who is making his F2 debut with Rodin Motorsport.
Josep María Martí initially set the fastest time with a 1:38.821, edging out Aron by a tenth. Duerksen then claimed the top position with a time of 1:38.515, surpassing Martí by over three-tenths.
With twenty-seven minutes remaining, Aron posted purple sector times in the first two sectors but ended up 0.059 seconds behind Duerksen, securing P2.
Martí quickly reclaimed the top spot with a 1:38.459, while his teammate Hadjar moved into third place.
Aron then took the lead again with a 1:38.289, only to be outpaced by Victor Martins moments later by 0.207 seconds.
Hadjar moved into P2, just 0.008 seconds behind Martins, indicating a tight competition at the top.
With twenty minutes left, Bortoleto set the fastest time with a 1:38.046, narrowly ahead of Martins.
Red Flag
A red flag interrupted the session when Cian Shields locked up at Turn 14 and collided with the barrier, causing a temporary halt as marshals removed his AIX Racing car.
RED FLAGS 🚩
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 6, 2024
Cian Shields is in the barrier on the exit of turn 14 #F2 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/vQ4KxICWQ9
The drivers returned to the track on Medium tyres with seven minutes remaining. Although there were few improvements in lap times, the drivers continued accumulating mileage ahead of Qualifying.
As the chequered flag was waved, Hadjar improved his time significantly to finish the fastest by over two-tenths. He concluded the session ahead of Bortoleto, Martins, and Aron, with Duerksen in fifth place.
