Apr 1

Apr 1 Ayumu Iwasa claims Formula 2 pole in the rain at Albert Park

Ayumu Iwasa came out on top in Formula 2 qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix as the field were tested by rain and red flag stoppages.

Ayumu Iwasa celebrates pole position in Melbourne. *(Formula Motorsport Limited)*

Iwasa set a lap of 1:45.118 before a final red flag brough an end to the session, with a frustrated but cheerful Théo Pourchaire in second after he was forced to abort his flying lap.

It is Iwasa's third FIA Formula 2 pole position and the first ever in Melbourne as the category makes its Albert Park debut.

The first red flag came out after Oliver Bearman spun into the wall, while Jak Crawford limped to the pits after also damaging his front wing in the wet conditions.

When the session resumed it was local driver Jack Doohan who led the field around and set the benchmark lap, but the drying track meant times were dropping throughout the session.

By the end of the session it appeared that drivers had gained the most time possible out of the street circuit until Pourchaire went fastest by four thousandths of a second.

It was not to be, with Iwasa setting his lap and moving to the top of the time sheets before Victor Martins hit the barrier at turn five and the session was suspended.

“It was very difficult, especially at the beginning,” said Iwasa.

“I was not able to push straight away because of the aquaplaning and also, I was struggling to get the speed with the warmup as well.”

“But once I got the temperature on the tyre I was able to push, and I was feeling quite good from the car.”

“So, it was really positive session, but it was really difficult.”