Formula 2 News: Luke Browning on Monza F2 pole

Luke Browning (pictured) clinched his inaugural Aramco Pole Position Award, topping the Formula 2 Qualifying session at Monza for Hitech TGR with a blistering 1:32.390, outpacing DAMS Lucas Oil’s Richard Verschoor and Kush Maini. However, Verschoor’s second-place time is at risk due to a late-session crash that triggered a Red Flag.

With drivers waiting for optimal track conditions and a slipstream, the pit lane saw no early rush. Alexander Dunne, opting to run without a tow, set the initial pace with a 1:33.554. Verschoor responded with a faster lap, only for teammate Oliver Goethe to raise the bar with a 1:32.817. Maini then edged Goethe by 0.082s to take the lead.

The session’s first Red Flag came when Gabriele Minì stopped between the Lesmo corners, followed by AIX Racing’s Cian Shields, halting the action until both cars were cleared. With 17 minutes left, Browning unleashed his pole-setting 1:32.390, 0.3s clear of Verschoor in second.

Championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli showed promise but was sidelined by a car issue, triggering the second Red Flag. As the session resumed with limited time, Verschoor, seeking a tow but forced to lead, spun at Lesmo 1, hitting the barriers and causing a third Red Flag. With under two minutes remaining, the session ended, securing Browning’s pole for the Feature Race.

Verschoor’s P2 is in jeopardy due to his crash, potentially elevating Maini to second, followed by Roman Stanek in third and Goethe in fourth. Dunne claimed fifth, ahead of Arvid Lindblad, Joshua Duerksen, Fornaroli, and Sami Meguetounif in tenth.

The FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race is set for Saturday at 2:15 PM local time.

2025 Monza Formula 2 Qualifying Results