The final qualifying session of the 2024 season commences with Hadjar and Bortoleto both looking to secure pole position for their championship bids.
Last weekend in Qatar, after an intense final couple of laps, Isack Hadjar reduced the gap to just half a point, separating himself from Gabriel Bortoleto.
Heading into the final race, practice was the first agenda of the weekend, the session concluded with Hadjar edging out Bortoleto, shaping Qualifying into a tight fight.
Gabi goes P1 ?
The championship leader lays down a new marker as he sets a 1:36.050 to knock Victor Martins off top spot #F2 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/8RmNBnfzhH
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 6, 2024
The 22 drivers headed out on track, and setting the pace was Dino Beganovic, clocking in a 1:56.085. More laps began getting locked in with Victor Martins putting in a 1:36.245, Bortoleto slotted in two-tenths of a second behind the Frenchman with 20 minutes remaining.
The fight heats up
With the track hitting peak temperature, timings were improving every lap, Bortoleto clocked in the fastest sector 1 and shot to the top of the timing sheets. Hadjar looked to respond to the Brazilian’s attempt, and as he crossed the line he wound up in fifth, four-tenths of a second of the Invicta Racing driver.
All but seven drivers remained on the track with 15 minutes to go, with hopes of grabbing clean air in their latest lap attempt. One of those drivers was Bortoleto, pushing through the middle sector to find extra time. The remaining drivers returned back out on the track with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Martins was a strong contender for pole, improving every lap, Hadjar was next to put in a time, slotting in just behind the Frenchman and adding pressure onto his title rival who had dropped down the standings.
Bortoleto quickly responded, crossing the line just 0.035 behind Martins. The Brazilian merely crossed the line before the red flag was called after Rafael Villagomez hit the barrier, a risky move which ultimately paid off. With over four minutes left on the clock, the session was resumed. The first onto the track was Bortoleto looking to find time and take provisional pole from Martins.
With the final minute on the clock, the drivers began their final flying laps, Bortoleto crossed the line, however, was unable to overtake Martins. Hadjar running in third, set a faster sector than Martins, despite this, he couldn’t find two tenths of a second to take pole, he will start fourth.
The top 10
1 – Victor martins
2 – Gabriel Bortoleto
3 – Paul Aron
4 – Isack Hadjar
5 – Dino Beganovic
6 – Kush Maini
7 – Pepe Marti
8 – Ritomo Miyata
9 – Joshua Durksen
10 – Amaury Cordeel
Featured image credits: @F2 on X