Zhou on pole for F2 Feature Race, Beckmann for first Sprint

Guanyu Zhou captured pole position today for Sunday’s Feature Race in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, being held at Bahrain International Circuit as part of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 weekend.

The Uni-Virtuosi driver clinched the leading grid position after topping the Qualifying timesheet held this afternoon with a fastest lap of 1min 42.848secs at the Sakhir track.

This follows the revised format for start grids that have been put in place from this 2021 F2 campaign. Zhou, however, was under investigation following the session.

David Beckmann, who finished Qualifying in 10th, will be on pole for Saturday’s first of two Sprint Races, also in accordance with the new rules. The grid for Saturday’s second Sprint will then be determined by reversing the top 10 finishers of the first Sprint Race.

Beckman, competing with Charouz Racing System, had a fastest lap of 1min 43.559secs to take the leading grid place for the new championship’s first race.

Finishing behind Zhou in today’s Qualifying, and joining him as the leading three starters for Sunday’s Feature, were Christian Lundgaard with a best lap of 1:42.851 – just 0.003s behind Zhou, and Felipe Drugovich at 1:43.211.

Saturday’s first Sprint Race is scheduled for a 1.25pm start.