Beckmann sets overall pace as F2 tests begin

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

German David Beckmann of Charouz Racing System posted the overall fastest time yesterday on the first of three days of official pre-season Formula 2 testing at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

The Bahrain tests this week have begun with F2, which are to continue until Wednesday, and are to be followed by Formula 1 pre-season testing from Friday to Sunday.

The sessions mark the first chance for competitors in both series to get an indication of how competitive their latest cars will be ahead of their first races of the season, making for a crucial period at “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East” this week.

Both F1 and F2 kick off their 2021 campaigns at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at BIC from March 26 to 28.

Beckmann had a blistering time of one minute 42.844 seconds during the three-hour afternoon session in yesterday’s tests.

The best lap amongst the morning runs was 1:43.021, clocked by Briton Dan Ticktum of Carlin. That was also second fastest on day one’s overall timesheet, while Dane Christian Lundgaard of ART Grand Prix was third with a time of 1:43.534, which he set in the afternoon.

Fourth on the over all timesheet was Frenchman Theo Pourchaire in the other ART car with a lap of 1:43.570. Kiwi Liam Lawson of Hitech Grand Prix was fifth with a 1:43.621 time.

Indian Jehan Daruvala of Carlin followed at 1:43.761, and Brazilian Felipe Drugovich of Uni-Virtuosi was next on the timesheet with a lap of 1:43.871.

The day’s overall top eight was rounded out by Estonian Juri Vips in the second Hitech challenger with the fastest time of 1:44.079. All 22 of F2’s drivers this season took part in yesterday’s tests.

Testing on Tuesday begins bright and early in the morning at 9 am and continues until 12noon. A two-hour break will then be held, after which the action resumes with the afternoon session from 2 pm to 5 pm.

In the F1 pre-season tests later this week, all 10 F1 teams featuring motor racing’s most popular talents will be hitting the tarmac.

It will be the first time all the F1 teams’ contending cars will be on track at the same time.

All the testing is taking place along BIC’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix track, and it is being held without spectators, as the circuit prepares for fans for the main event at the end of this month.

Tickets are now available for this year’s F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend for all vaccinated or COVID-19 recovered individuals.

The tickets are on sale now at bahraingp.com with a single discounted price of BD100 across stands for the three-day event.

For full eligibility criteria for those wishing to attend the race, or for other information on the highly anticipated event, visit bahraingp.com.