The fourth round of the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship got underway today as twenty drivers headed to San Nazzaro, Italy, for the Grand Prix of Italy II.
As the drivers headed to the water for free practice, conditions were completely different from what the teams have faced so far this season. Fast flowing flat water meant that setups had to be tweaked for the track.
Ninety minutes of free practice ensued with the top of the table leader changing several times throughout the session. But Rashed Al Qemzi looked at ease in his playground as he topped the group with David Del Pin, taking the second fastest lap.
Attentions quickly turned to qualifying with many drivers trying to find the right propeller for the course.
As expected, the table changed hands several times throughout the twenty minute session, but it was Abu Dhabi’s Mansoor Al Mansoori that claimed the fastest lap of the session. This team mate Rashed Al Qemzi sat just 0.172 seconds behind him.
Mansoor continued strongly into the second qualifying session, and with the fleet reduced to 15 boats, the action became more intense as the boats looked to work their way into the top six for the third qualifying session.
Mansoor once again topped the table for Q2, but this time, it was British driver Matthew Palfreyman sat in second place ahead of Mathilda Wiberg, who was once more pushing herself and her boat through the fleet.
Edgaras Riabko and France’s Nelson Morin completed the lineup for the top six, and the heat was on.
Anyone of the top six boats in the session was capable of securing the pole position so all eyes were on the water to see who would claim the pole position with both Abu Dhabi drivers looking favourite to secure the vital pole.
Both Abu Dhabi Drivers then pushed their way around the course, searching for the perfect lap. Mathilda and Matthew were both pushing throughout the event looking for the best lap, but it was Rashed Al Qemzi that secured the Pole position. Team mate Mansoor Al Mansoori claimed second on the grid, and Mathilda Wiberg soared into third.
With just one second separating the top five boats, the pressure is going to be intense as nineteen boats power away from the dock tomorrow and into the first turn.
We caught up with Rashed and Mansoor after qualifying to find out how they felt after the session. Mansoor had this to say “It was a really good session for the team. I am happy that Rashed has pole position, and I will start second tomorrow.”
Rashed continued “This is our second home so to secure pole position and second on the grid is a fantastic team effort and we will continue this into the race tomorrow and hopefully take a step closer to the 5th World Championship Title.”
Tune in tomorrow as all the action unfolds as we will watch 19 drivers battle it out for the Grand Prix of Italy II Podium.
