The Yas Marina Circuit, a breathtaking spectacle of modern motorsport engineering, set the stage for a thrilling climax to the Formula 2 season’s final qualifying session. Under the fading golden hues of the Abu Dhabi sunset, Japanese sensation Ayumu Iwasa of DAMS pulled off a stunning upset, clinching a sensational pole position in a dramatic finish. His last-gasp effort saw him snatch the top spot from his own DAMS teammate, Roy Nissany, ensuring an all-DAMS front row for Sunday’s highly anticipated Feature Race.
The qualifying session, a crucial determinant for grid positions in both the Feature and Sprint races, was steeped in anticipation. While championship glory had already been secured by Felipe Drugovich, the battle for remaining championship positions, team pride, and future F1 prospects fueled the fierce competition on track. The half-hour session was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the leaderboard constantly shifting and the smallest margins deciding ultimate fate.
Adding another layer of complexity to the weekend, several Formula 2 drivers faced the unique challenge of immediately transitioning from Formula 1 practice sessions back into their F2 machines. Reigning F2 champion Felipe Drugovich, along with promising talents Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan, had all participated in the preceding F1 free practice session. This demanded an extraordinary level of adaptability, as they had to quickly recalibrate their driving styles and mental focus from the powerful, high-downforce F1 cars to the distinct characteristics of their F2 challengers. The swift change underscored their versatility and the immense pressure placed on these rising stars.
As the session roared to life, the initial benchmark was set by ART Grand Prix’s Théo Pourchaire, who clocked an impressive 1’37.145. This early pace immediately put pressure on the field, with drivers like Jüri Vips, Liam Lawson, and Jehan Daruvala striving to match or exceed his time. The track was rapidly evolving, and grip levels improved with each passing minute, hinting at even quicker laps to come. Moments later, Virtuosi Racing’s Jack Doohan, known for his aggressive style, surged to the top with a blistering 1’36.677, showcasing his intent to dominate the proceedings.
However, the session’s early intensity was abruptly halted by a dramatic incident. Just seconds after Doohan’s impressive lap, his Virtuosi teammate, Marino Sato, lost control of his car while navigating the challenging Turn 13. The car spun violently, colliding with the barriers and bringing out the first red flag of the session. The unfortunate incident necessitated a complete halt to retrieve Sato’s damaged vehicle, forcing all drivers back to the pit lane and momentarily disrupting their rhythm. This interlude provided an unexpected pause, allowing teams to strategize and drivers to gather their thoughts before the final push.
After a brief but impactful delay, the session resumed with just over 23 minutes remaining on the clock. The atmosphere crackled with renewed energy as drivers wasted no time in heading back out onto the circuit, eager to make up for lost time and capitalize on the improving track conditions. Théo Pourchaire, demonstrating his consistent speed, immediately improved on his second flying lap, shaving two tenths of a second off his previous best. Despite this improvement, he remained in second place behind Doohan, who had set a formidable early benchmark. Jehan Daruvala also found pace, elevating himself to third, while Dennis Hauger moved into a strong fourth position, indicating a fiercely contested battle for the top spots.
As the clock ticked down and approximately 15 minutes remained, a peculiar calm descended upon the Yas Marina Circuit. The roar of engines subsided, and the track fell momentarily silent as drivers retreated to their garages. This mid-session lull is a common strategic element in qualifying, as teams weigh the benefits of allowing the track to “rubber in” further versus preserving tire life for a final, crucial assault. The wait added a layer of suspense, with everyone anticipating the strategic decisions unfolding behind the pit wall. It wasn’t until just over 10 minutes were left that the pit lane once again became a hive of activity, with cars peeling out onto the track as the sun began its majestic descent, casting long shadows across the iconic circuit and bathing it in a mesmerizing amber glow.
With time rapidly running out, the final push for pole position began in earnest. Championship winner Felipe Drugovich, currently sitting in sixth place, was among the first to embark on another flying lap. Displaying the composure and skill that earned him the title, Drugovich executed a strong final sector, propelling himself to the top of the leaderboard and momentarily holding provisional pole. However, his reign was short-lived. Théo Pourchaire, seemingly unfazed, responded almost immediately with a scintillating lap, beating Drugovich by nearly two tenths of a second to reclaim the coveted provisional pole position. The battle intensified further when Logan Sargeant, showing incredible form, delivered a brilliant lap to move into second place, securing a provisional spot on the front row. Meanwhile, Jack Doohan, attempting to reclaim his earlier pace, pushed a little too hard, brushing the wall on the exit of Turn 14, an error that cost him dearly and effectively dashed his hopes of a pole position.
The final minutes of the session unfolded with heart-stopping drama. Drugovich, determined not to be outdone, dug deep and improved on his very last flying lap, leapfrogging Sargeant to secure second place. The tension was palpable, but the real shockwaves were yet to come. Suddenly, the screens lit up with a name few expected at the very top: Roy Nissany of DAMS. In a masterful display of precision and speed, Nissany soared into pole position, narrowly eclipsing Pourchaire’s time. The DAMS garage erupted in celebration, but their joy was almost immediately doubled. Just moments later, Nissany’s teammate, Ayumu Iwasa, delivered an even more extraordinary performance. With an almost unbelievably tight margin of just 0.036 seconds, Iwasa snatched pole position, demonstrating exceptional control and raw pace. This monumental achievement solidified an all-DAMS front row, a testament to the team’s outstanding strategy and the drivers’ incredible talent.
However, the session’s dramatic conclusion wasn’t without its final twist. As the last few seconds ticked away, debutant Zane Maloney, pushing to improve his own time, spun his car at the notorious hairpin of Turn 9. His car came to rest on the outside run-off area, triggering a final red flag. With only seconds remaining on the clock, this interruption effectively brought the qualifying session to a premature end, sealing the results and confirming Iwasa’s sensational pole position. The final grid for Sunday’s Feature Race saw Ayumu Iwasa and Roy Nissany forming an unexpected but dominant DAMS front row. Théo Pourchaire secured third, ahead of the champion Felipe Drugovich in fourth. Jack Doohan, despite his earlier error, held onto fifth, with Logan Sargeant starting an impressive sixth. Looking ahead to Saturday’s reversed-grid Sprint Race, the pole position was awarded to Richard Verschoor, with Liam Lawson lining up alongside him, promising another thrilling encounter on the Yas Marina asphalt. Juan Manuel Correa, making his return to F2 with HWA, qualified in 18th position, just one spot ahead of the unfortunate Zane Maloney.
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Formula 2 Yas Marina Qualifying Results
| Position | Car | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Ayumu Iwasa | DAMS |
| 2 | 16 | Roy Nissany | DAMS |
| 3 | 10 | Theo Pourchaire | ART |
| 4 | 11 | Felipe Drugovich | MP |
| 5 | 3 | Jack Doohan | Virtuosi |
| 6 | 6 | Logan Sargeant | Carlin |
| 7 | 1 | Dennis Hauger | Prema |
| 8 | 25 | Amaury Cordeel | Van Amersfoort |
| 9 | 5 | Liam Lawson | Carlin |
| 10 | 20 | Richard Verschoor | Trident |
| 11 | 7 | Marcus Armstrong | Hitech |
| 12 | 2 | Jehan Daruvala | Prema |
| 13 | 22 | Enzo Fittipaldi | Charouz |
| 14 | 15 | Ralph Boschung | Campos |
| 15 | 8 | Juri Vips | Hitech |
| 16 | 9 | Frederik Vesti | ART |
| 17 | 12 | Clement Novalak | MP |
| 18 | 24 | Juan Manuel Correa | Van Amersfoort |
| 19 | 21 | Zane Maloney | Trident |
| 20 | 14 | Olli Caldwell | Campos |
| 21 | 23 | Tatiana Calderon | Charouz |
| 22 | Marino Sato | Virtuosi |
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