Jack Doohan takes first Formula 2 pole position of the year in Hungary
Jack Doohan came out on top of a tight qualifying session to take his first pole position of the 2023 FIA Formula 2 season in Hungary.
Jack Doohan celebrates pole position in Hungary. (Formula Motorsport Limited)
Frederik Vesti held the fastest lap after the first set of runs around the fast and flowing Hungaroring, with Doohan up to second after initial running.
Vesti went faster again for a time of 1:27.931 in his PREMA as the first run of laps came to an end, with Victor Martins up to second and Théo Pourchaire in third.
The session was suspended with just under 20 minutes remaining when Roman Stanek spun into the barriers at turn 11 and brought out the red flag.
A flurry of laps was followed by a change for fresh soft tyres for most drivers, with Doohan on top with the time of 1:27.676 in the final running ahead of Martins and Vesti.
With enough time left in the session, Pourchaire and Martins both tried in vain to best his lap, with Martins managing second and Vesti in third.
“I'm quite happy to say the least,” said Doohan.
“Coming from being on pole in my maiden Formula 2 race into my second season and getting pole in Round 10, so it's been quite a while.”
“It's definitely not been as easy, even today it wasn't easy at all. Not as easy as I would have liked to have it.
“Happy to be back.”
Kush Maini qualified tenth and will start Saturday’s sprint race from reverse-grid pole position, with Doohan on pole for the feature race on Sunday.
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2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship - Round 10 Hungary Qualifying
Jack Doohan (AUS)
Victor Martins
Frederik Vesti
Theo Pourchaire
Isack Hadjar
Ayumu Iwasa
Oliver Bearman
Jehan Daruvala
Dennis Hauger
Kush Maini
Enzo Fittipaldi
Richard Verschoor
Ralph Boschung
Zane Maloney
Clement Novalak
Juan Manuel Correa
Arthur Leclerc
Jak Crawford
Roy Nissany
Amaury COrdeel
Brad Benavides
Roman Stanke