All set for the F2 triple-header
Round 4 - Imola - Preview
After a four-week hiatus since the opening flyaway rounds, the FIA F2 Championship returns to Europe for the first of three back-to-back races.
The first pitstop is the iconic Imola circuit, which plays host to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend (16-18 May).
The competition always takes on a new intensity at this stage of the season. The first few rounds provide an opportunity to become fully accustomed to the cars, and to iron out any issues, while the data collected can be pored over during the long break and the learnings rolled back into a fresh assault on the next phase of the calendar. Both Luke Browning and Dino Beganovic have been hard at work with the engineers, and in the gym and sim, in preparation.
Last time out, the Jeddah Street Circuit provided a tough initiation on their first visit to the Saudi Arabian track. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is an altogether different challenge and much more of a known quantity for the duo, who have raced here on multiple occasions in different formulae.
That’s not to say Imola doesn’t present its fair share of tricky characteristics. Tough corners conspire with short run-off areas of grass and gravel that leave little margin for error to create one of the most technical circuits on the calendar.
4.909 km in length, Imola is a low abrasion circuit which provides good grip. Sector one is relatively high speed ahead of the more technical middle and final sectors, and the combination requires a car setup that can balance out these different demands. Turn 2 at the end of the sole DRS zone is the primary overtaking opportunity.
Pirelli have provided the Soft and Supersoft tyres, which is a step softer than last year and will therefore be subject to greater degradation.
Clive Hatton, Hitech's F2 Team Manager:
“It’s good to be back in Europe and we’re ready to hit the ground running this weekend in Imola.”
Hatton continued:
“We’ve prepared well for this triple-header during the break and look forward to seeing some good results from this next run of events to continue to build on our position in the standings.”
Free Practice gets the on-track action underway at 11.05 local time on Friday and is followed by the Qualifying session at 16:00 local. Saturday’s 25-lap Sprint Race is scheduled for 14:15 local time, while the 35-lap Feature Race will get underway at 10.00 local on Sunday.