FIA Formula 2

Jak Crawford secures maiden Formula 2 pole in interrupted qualifying at Dutch Grand Prix

Andrew Rickert

26 Aug 2023 — 2 min read

Jak Crawford set a lap when it counted to secure pole for the FIA Formula 2 round at the Dutch Grand Prix as his rivals struggled amid traffic and red flag stoppages.

Jak Crawford claimed pole for the FIA Formula 2 weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

Crawford set a lap of 1:21.210 on his second hot lap, the time standing despite challenges from Dennis Hauger and Juan Manuel Correa.

Hauger was consistently faster but was unable to bank the lap times, interrupted twice by red flags on his final attempts.

Crawford’s time went unbeaten throughout the session as the Red Bull junior took his maiden pole position.

“Obviously very happy, I mean this is my best Qualifying of the year by far,” said Crawford.

“We definitely got lucky, but the pace was there, even if we were to complete the second run, I still think we would have been up there.”

“So of course, I’m over the moon right now. It hasn't been the best season and we’ve put in a lot of prep for this event and it finally worked out.”

Australian Jack Doohan was top of the standings after the first set of competitive laps despite wheel-to-wheel battles with Victor Martins for track position.

Crawford went fastest around twenty minutes into the session, just three-hundredths of a second ahead of Hauger, Frederik Vesti, Doohan, and Ollie Bearman.

It seemed as though all was lost for the provisional pole-sitter, damaging his front wing after making contact with Clément Novalak in pit lane, but red flags from Jehan Daruvala and Juan Manuel Correa on their final attempts allowed him time to return to the pit lane for repairs.

“I was full speed into the pit limiter on basically shiny tyres and someone came out right in front of me and just T-boned them and broke my front wing,” said Crawford.

To be honest, I was so mad at the time and luckily, I was able to change my wing and there was no damage. But anyways, we didn’t even get to set a lap after that.

The stoppages left time for just a one-lap shootout to end the session, but Crawford’s early time stood as Novalak hit the barrier at turn three and ended the session.

Hauger was second-fastest after his earlier attempt, ahead of Vesti, Zane Maloney, and Doohan, the Australian finishing qualifying in fifth.

Championship leader Théo Pourchaire qualified tenth and will lead the field from reverse-grid pole for Saturday’s sprint race.

Watch every race of the FIA Formula 2 season on Kayo Sports.

2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship - Round 12 Zandvoort Qualifying