Doohan shows promise in F2 in-season test as Pourchaire goes fastest

Jack Doohan and Invicta Virtuosi Racing made the most of in-season FIA Formula 2 testing in Barcelona as they sought to find much-needed gains.

Jack Doohan and Invicta Virtuosi Racing made the most of in-season testing in Barcelona. (Formula Motorsport Limited)

Doohan has struggled with pace in the 2023 season, citing a "fundamental issue" with his Formula 2 machinery.

The Australian topped the first two days of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, but it was Frenchman and series leader Théo Pourchaire who went fastest overall with his time on the final day of testing.

With two three-hour sessions on each day it was Kush Maini who went fastest in the opening session for Campos Racing, with Doohan half a second quicker in the afternoon session to top the time sheet at the end of day one with a lap time of 1:24.177.

Running was slightly slower on day two with rain in the morning session, but the results were unchanged with Maini leading in the morning before Doohan went faster in the afternoon. The Australian recovered from a spin halfway through the session to complete his race simulation work and set a lap of 1:24.318.

Theo Pourchaire was fastest overall during Formula 2 in-season testing in Barcelona. (Formula Motorsport Limited)

Frenchman Théo Pourchaire was one of the first out on the final day, spinning on cold tyres before the session resumed shortly after. Drivers focused on race simulations once again, with Pourchaire emerging fastest after a later red flag to set the time of 1:23.943, the fastest time of the week and the only driver to dip below the 1:24 mark.

Running was interrupted by rain once again in the final session, as Roy Nissany top the time sheets in one of the slowest sessions of the week.

The FIA Formula 2 field returns next weekend for round five of the 2023 season at Imola.

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