Meguetounif Sets Blazing Pace on Final Day of FIA Formula 2 Pre-Season Testing in Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain – Sami Meguetounif of TRIDENT emerged as the frontrunner on the final day of FIA Formula 2 pre-season testing at barcelona, setting the fastest time of 1:24.363 during the afternoon session. The three-day event, a crucial prelude to Round 1 of the championship, saw Victor Martins of ART Grand Prix leading the pack in the morning. Teams faced numerous interruptions due to multiple red flags, underscoring the challenges of gathering essential data before the season opener next month.
Morning Session: Martins Leads Amidst Interruptions
The morning session commenced under damp conditions,a result of overnight rain that initially prompted teams to equip their cars with Wet Pirelli tires. Though, the session’s rhythm was quickly disrupted when Kush Maini of DAMS Lucas Oil encountered trouble, bringing his car to a halt at Turn 3 and triggering the first red flag of the day.
Shortly after the restart, another red flag was waved, this time due to Sami meguetounif, who had briefly topped the timesheets with a time of 1:36.479. Meguetounif was forced to pull off the track at Turn 9 in his TRIDENT car, adding to the morning’s disruptions.
As the session resumed, Christian Mansell of Rodin Motorsport surged to the top, becoming the first driver to break the 1:30 barrier with a time of 1:29.699. His teammate, Alexander Dunne, then seized the lead, clocking in at 1:28.493 and quickly improving to 1:27.590 as track conditions continued to improve.
With just under an hour remaining in the morning session, Meguetounif briefly reclaimed the top spot with a time of 1:27.223. However, Richard Verschoor of MP Motorsport soon followed, setting a time of 1:27.013.
The session faced another interruption when sebastián Montoya spun at Turn 1, necessitating another red flag. Following the subsequent restart,John Bennett of Van Amersfoort Racing set the fastest time of 1:26.311 with just over 40 minutes remaining.
Jak Crawford of DAMS came within 0.009s of Bennett’s time, before his teammate Maini broke into the 1:25s.Crawford then led the way with a time of 1:25.580, just 0.013s ahead of Maini, showcasing the intense competition within the DAMS team.
Ultimately, Victor Martins set the pace, going almost a second clear with a time of 1:24.673 with 20 minutes remaining. However, the session concluded with a red flag after Mansell spun into the barriers at Turn 3. He was reported to be uninjured. the session resumed for a final six minutes, but Martins ran into the gravel at Turn 5, preventing any late improvements.
The final standings for the morning session saw martins in first, followed by his teammate Ritomo Miyata. Crawford and maini finished third and fourth for DAMS, while Max Esterson rounded out the top five for TRIDENT.
2025 FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPIONSHIP – BARCELONA PRE-SEASON TEST, DAY 3, MORNING SESSION
| Position | Driver | License | Team | time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Martins | FRA | ART Grand Prix | 1:24.673 | 16 |
| 2 | Ritomo Miyata | JPN | ART Grand Prix | 1:25.148 | 15 |
| 3 | Jak Crawford | USA | DAMS Lucas Oil | 1:25.580 | 31 |
| 4 | Kush Maini | IND | DAMS Lucas Oil | 1:25.593 | 26 |
| 5 | Max Esterson | USA | TRIDENT | 1:26.042 | 27 |
Afternoon Session: meguetounif Secures Top Spot Amidst Further Disruptions
2025 FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPIONSHIP – BARCELONA PRE-SEASON TEST, DAY 3, AFTERNOON SESSION
Bortoleto Tops the Charts in FIA Formula 3 Testing at Imola
Imola, Italy – Gabriel bortoleto showcased impressive speed during FIA Formula 3 testing, setting the fastest lap time. The testing session provided teams with crucial data and opportunities to fine-tune their setups ahead of upcoming races. Several drivers demonstrated strong potential, setting the stage for a competitive season. Bortoleto’s performance has positioned him as a frontrunner, while other drivers like Joshua Duerksen and Rafael Villagómez also delivered noteworthy results, underscoring the depth of talent in this year’s FIA Formula 3 field.
Bortoleto Leads the Pack
Gabriel Bortoleto emerged as the fastest driver in FIA Formula 3 testing at Imola, recording a lap time of 1:25.707. His performance highlighted his skill and the potential of his car. The Brazilian driver’s time was achieved after 24 laps, demonstrating consistency and speed throughout the session.
Top Performers Emerge
while Bortoleto claimed the top spot,other drivers also made their mark during the Imola testing. Joshua Duerksen, representing PRY and driving for AIX Racing, secured the sixth position with a time of 1:26.275 after 19 laps. Rafael Villagómez of MEX, driving for Van Amersfoort Racing, followed closely behind in seventh place, clocking in at 1:26.304 after 18 laps. These results indicate a tightly contested field, with several drivers capable of challenging for top positions.
Other Notable Times
John Bennett (GBR), also with Van amersfoort Racing, recorded a time of 1:26.311 after completing 37 laps, placing him eighth. Richard Verschoor (NLD) from MP Motorsport finished ninth with a time of 1:27.013 after 12 laps. Josep María Martí (ESP) of Campos Racing rounded out the top ten with a time of 1:27.091 after 24 laps. The varying number of laps completed by each driver suggests different testing strategies and priorities among the teams.
Full Results
| Pos | Driver | Nation | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Bortoleto | 1:25.707 | 24 | ||
| 6 | Joshua Duerksen | PRY | AIX Racing | 1:26.275 | 19 |
| 7 | Rafael Villagómez | MEX | Van Amersfoort Racing | 1:26.304 | 18 |
| 8 | john Bennett | GBR | Van Amersfoort Racing | 1:26.311 | 37 |
| 9 | Richard Verschoor | NLD | MP motorsport | 1:27.013 | 12 |
| 10 | Josep María Martí | ESP | Campos Racing | 1:27.091 | 24 |
| 11 | Sami Meguetounif | FRA | TRIDENT | 1:27.223 | 17 |
| 12 | Oliver Goethe | DEU | MP Motorsport | 1:27.256 | 11 |
| 13 | Cian shields | GBR | AIX Racing | 1:27.393 | 23 |
| 14 | Alexander Dunne | IRL | Rodin Motorsport | 1:27.590 | 28 |
| 15 | Arvid lindblad | GBR | campos Racing | 1:27.628 | 27 |
| 16 | Roman Stanek | CZE | invicta Racing | 1:27.741 | 53 |
| 17 | Christian Mansell | AUS | Rodin Motorsport | 1:28.033 | 27 |
| 18 | Gabriele Minì | ITA | PREMA racing | 1:28.963 | 19 |
| 19 | Sebastián montoya | COL | PREMA Racing | 1:29.374 | 11 |
| 20 | Luke Browning | GBR | Hitech TGR | 1:29.800 | 21 |
| 21 | dino beganovic | SWE | hitech TGR | 1:30.005 | 29 |
| 22 | Leonardo Fornaroli |
Looking Ahead
The FIA Formula 3 testing at Imola provided valuable insights into the performance and potential of the teams and drivers. Gabriel Bortoleto’s leading time sets a high benchmark for the season, but the close competition demonstrated by drivers like Joshua Duerksen and Rafael Villagómez suggests an exciting and unpredictable championship battle ahead. Teams will now analyze the data collected and make further adjustments to their cars in preparation for the upcoming races.
Meguetounif Sets Fastest Time in Barcelona F2 Pre-Season test Amidst Multiple Red flags
Barcelona, Spain – Sami Meguetounif of TRIDENT Racing clocked the fastest time during the afternoon session of Day 3 at the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship pre-season test in Barcelona. The session, though, was heavily disrupted by multiple red flags, impacting teams’ testing programs. Meguetounif’s leading time was 1:24.363, achieved before a series of incidents halted the proceedings.
Morning Session: Hauger Leads the Way
The morning session of the Barcelona pre-season test saw Dennis Hauger of MP Motorsport setting the pace.Hauger recorded a time of 1:25.375, completing 36 laps. The session provided teams with valuable data as they prepared for the upcoming season. Invicta Racing also participated in the morning session, gathering crucial data about their car’s performance.
2025 FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPIONSHIP – BARCELONA PRE-SEASON TEST, DAY 3, MORNING SESSION
| Position | Driver | License | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Hauger | NOR | MP Motorsport | 1:25.375 | 36 |
afternoon Session: Meguetounif Secures Top Spot Amidst Further Disruptions
The afternoon session saw Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, and TRIDENT immediately take to the track, eager to maximize their testing time. Arvid Lindblad initially set the pace with a 1:25.427, a time 0.288s faster than Richard Verschoor, who was in second place at that point.
Sami meguetounif then delivered the fastest time of the day, clocking in at 1:24.363. However, shortly after his impressive lap, his TRIDENT teammate, Max Esterson, spun at Turn 9, triggering the first Red Flag of the afternoon.
Following the restart, teams shifted their focus to race runs, aiming to accumulate valuable mileage and gather data on tire degradation and fuel consumption. Though, the session was soon interrupted again when John Bennett of van Amersfoort racing spun and made contact with the wall ahead of the final corner, causing another Red Flag.
With just under an hour remaining in the session, Alexander Dunne of Rodin Motorsport improved his time, moving up to second place. Dunne’s best lap was 1:25.048, placing him 0.685s behind Meguetounif.
The third Red Flag of the afternoon was waved when Oliver Goethe found himself beached in the gravel at Turn 5. The session was restarted with just over 20 minutes left on the clock. However,the disruptions continued as a final Red Flag was triggered when Meguetounif himself slid into the gravel at Turn 5.
The final standings for the afternoon session saw Meguetounif leading the pack, followed by Dunne and Lindblad. Verschoor and Christian Mansell completed the top five. Joshua duerksen and Cian Shields followed in sixth and seventh, respectively, with Josep María Martí, Victor Martins, and Esterson rounding out the top 10.
2025 FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPIONSHIP – BARCELONA PRE-SEASON TEST,DAY 3,AFTERNOON SESSION
| Position | Driver | Licence | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sami Meguetounif | FRA | TRIDENT | 1:24.363 | 45 |
| 2 | Alexander Dunne | IRL | Rodin Motorsport | 1:25.048 | 33 |
| 3 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | Campos Racing | 1:25.427 | 49 |
| 4 | richard Verschoor | NLD | MP Motorsport | 1:25.715 | 46 |
| 5 | Christian Mansell | AUS | Rodin Motorsport | 1:25.817 | 29 |
| 6 | Joshua Duerksen | PRY | AIX Racing | 1:25.939 | 39 |
| 7 | Cian Shields | GBR | AIX Racing | 1:25.977 | 35 |
| 8 | Josep María Martí | ESP | campos Racing | 1:26.307 | 50 |
| 9 | victor Martins | FRA | ART Grand Prix | 1:26.355 | 52 |
| 10 | Max esterson | USA | TRIDENT | 1:26.444 | 10 |
| 11 | Oliver Goethe | DEU | MP Motorsport | 1:26.597 | 42 |
| 12 | Rafael Villagómez | MEX | Van Amersfoort Racing | 1:27.522 | 29 |
Meguetounif Sets the Pace on Final Day of FIA Formula 2 Pre-Season Testing in Barcelona
barcelona – Sami Meguetounif of TRIDENT Racing clocked the fastest overall lap time during the afternoon session of the final day of FIA Formula 2 pre-season testing in Barcelona. The three-day event, crucial for teams gathering data ahead of the season’s first race, was marked by several interruptions and intense competition.Victor Martins from ART Grand Prix led the morning session, which began on a damp track, initially requiring wet tires.
Meguetounif’s Blazing Lap Secures Top Spot
Sami Meguetounif’s impressive lap time of 1:24.363 in the afternoon session cemented his position at the top of the leaderboard on the final day of testing. This performance underscores TRIDENT’s preparation and Meguetounif’s readiness for the upcoming season. the team will be analyzing the data collected to further refine their setup and strategy.
Morning Session Marked by Red Flags and Lead Changes
The morning session proved to be a challenging one, punctuated by multiple red flags. Early incidents involving Kush maini of DAMS Lucas oil and Sami Meguetounif himself brought the session to a halt. These early disruptions set the tone for a fragmented morning, with teams struggling to find consistent running.
The lead changed hands multiple times, with several drivers briefly holding the top spot. Christian Mansell and Alexander Dunne, both driving for Rodin Motorsport, each had their moment at the front. Meguetounif also led for a time,as did Richard Verschoor of MP Motorsport and John Bennett from Van Amersfoort Racing. Jak Crawford (DAMS) and Maini also contended for the fastest time, highlighting the competitive nature of the session.
A late red flag, caused by an incident involving Mansell, further disrupted the morning’s proceedings. While Mansell was reported to be uninjured, the incident prevented drivers from making any late improvements to their lap times. This underscored the high-stakes environment of pre-season testing, where every lap counts.
despite the interruptions,Victor Martins ultimately secured the top spot in the morning session. His lap time was more than a second quicker than any other driver, demonstrating a strong performance from the ART Grand Prix team.
Detailed Morning Session Results
The morning session provided valuable insights into the performance of each team and driver. Here’s a summary of the top performers:
| Position | Driver | License | Team | Lap Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Martins | FRA | ART grand Prix | 1:25.741 | 26 |
| 2 | Roman Staněk | CZE | Trident | 1:26.744 | 26 |
| 3 | Zane Maloney | BRB | Rodin Motorsport | 1:26.845 | 28 |
| 4 | Dennis Hauger | NOR | MP Motorsport | 1:27.044 | 27 |
| 5 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | MP Motorsport | 1:27.137 | 27 |
| 6 | Josep María Martí | ESP | Campos Racing | 1:27.238 | 27 |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Campos racing | 1:27.241 | 26 |
| 8 | Paul Aron | EST | Hitech Pulse-Eight | 1:27.304 | 28 |
| 9 | Richard Verschoor | NLD | MP Motorsport | 1:27.336 | 27 |
| 10 | Andrea Kimi antonelli | ITA | PREMA Racing | 1:27.401 | 27 |
| 11 | Taylor Barnard | GBR | PHM AIX Racing | 1:27.443 | 27 |
| 12 | Zak O’Sullivan | GBR | ART grand Prix | 1:27.747 | 26 |
| 13 | Ritomo Miyata | JPN | ART grand Prix | 1:27.953 | 50 |
| 14 | Leonardo Fornaroli | ITA | Invicta Racing | 1:29.145 | 57 |
| 15 | Sebastián Montoya | COL | PREMA racing | 1:29.254 | 50 |
| 16 | Gabriele Minì | ITA | PREMA Racing | No time | 3 |
Conclusion: Teams Prepare for the Season Ahead
The FIA Formula 2 pre-season testing in barcelona concluded with Sami Meguetounif setting the fastest overall lap time, marking a prosperous end to the three-day event. Teams now have a wealth of data to analyze as they prepare for the season’s first race. The frequent red flags and competitive lap times underscore the challenges and intensity of the upcoming championship.
Based on teh provided text, here’s a summary of the Formula 2 and Formula 3 pre-season testing:
FIA Formula 2 Pre-Season Testing in Barcelona:
Day 3: The final day of testing was substantially impacted by multiple red flags in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Morning Session: Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) set the fastest time (1:24.673) despite several incidents and red flags involving various drivers including Kush Maini (DAMS), Sami Meguetounif (TRIDENT), sebastian Montoya (unspecified team), and christian Mansell (Rodin Motorsport).
Afternoon Session: Sami Meguetounif (TRIDENT) set the overall fastest time of the three-day test (1:24.363). This session was also notably interrupted by red flags caused by incidents involving Max Esterson (TRIDENT), John Bennett (Van Amersfoort Racing), Oliver Goethe (unspecified team), and Meguetounif himself. Despite the interruptions, Meguetounif maintained his lead.
FIA Formula 3 Pre-Season Testing in Imola:
fastest Time: Gabriel Bortoleto achieved the fastest lap time (1:25.707) during the testing session.
* Competitive Field: While Bortoleto led, other drivers like Joshua Duerksen (AIX Racing), Rafael Villagómez (Van Amersfoort Racing), and John Bennett (Van Amersfoort Racing) also showed strong performance, indicating a close competition in the upcoming season. The results included several drivers from various teams showing close lap times.
Key Differences and Similarities:
Both Formula 2 and Formula 3 pre-season testing experienced numerous red flags, highlighting the challenges of collecting comprehensive data during these high-speed events. Both also saw multiple drivers from different teams achieve strong results, suggesting competitive seasons ahead. The Formula 2 tests showed a more important impact from the red flags, affecting the overall testing outcomes. The F3 tests,although featuring a faster overall time by one of the drivers,had a relatively smoother overall testing session.