Jak Crawford Secures Pole in Chaotic Baku F2 Qualifying

Jak Crawford has clinched his second pole position of the Formula 2 season in a dramatic qualifying session at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver narrowly outpaced reigning Formula 3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, setting a blistering time of 1:54.791.

Why it matters:

Baku's street circuit is notorious for its unpredictability, and a front-row start is crucial for navigating the tight corners and long straights. Crawford's pole position puts him in an excellent spot to capitalize on the chaos and secure valuable points, potentially shifting the championship dynamics in his favor. Fornaroli's strong performance as a rookie also signals his potential as a future F1 contender.

The details:

The qualifying session for the 2025 F2 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a stop-start affair, marred by two red flags, which significantly impacted drivers' rhythm and lap times.

• Crawford's Edge: Jak Crawford secured pole by a mere 0.019 seconds over Invicta Racing's Leonardo Fornaroli, highlighting the intense competition at the front.
• Red Flags and Penalties: The first red flag was caused by Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix), who, despite finishing fourth, is facing a deleted lap time. This incident disrupted many drivers' flying laps.
• Dramatic End: The session concluded prematurely under a second red flag after Roman Stanek (Invicta Racing) collided with John Bennett (Van Amersfoort Racing) following a rejoin attempt in the final minute. This left several drivers unable to improve their times.
• Top Performers: Gabriele Mini (Prema Racing) qualified third, while Alex Dunne (Rodin Motorsport) and Luke Browning (Hitech TGR) completed the top six, demonstrating strong pace.

What's next:

The chaotic qualifying sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating F2 race weekend in Baku. Drivers will need to balance aggression with precision on this challenging circuit.

• Sprint Race Strategy: Starting from pole, Crawford will be looking to convert his advantage into a strong finish in the sprint race, where grid inversions often lead to unpredictable outcomes.
• Championship Implications: The Baku races are known for their high attrition rates and potential for significant championship swings. Consistent performance and avoiding incidents will be key for all contenders aiming for the F1 ladder.

Full Qualifying Results: