After a two-and-a-half-month break since the last FIA Formula 2 event, the championship embarks on its final leg to determine the title this upcoming weekend in Qatar, the venue for the penultimate race of the season. Hadjar, Pepe Martí, and Campos Racing are going all out at the Lusail International Circuit
The 2024 FIA Formula 2 season is gradually approaching its final chapter, or rather, more immediately, the penultimate one. This weekend, Campos Racing and its drivers Isack Hadjar and Pepe Martí will travel to Qatar for the thirteenth and penultimate race of the current campaign, which will take place at the Lusail International Circuit, the standout addition to this year’s calendar. After Lusail, only Yas Marina will remain just a week later. These are crucial and decisive hours for the titles.
The drivers' and teams' titles are still very much in contention for both Isack Hadjar and Campos Racing. For the French driver, only four and a half points separate him from the category leader, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. Hadjar has 165 points to his name, thanks to four victories in Melbourne, Imola, Silverstone, and Spa-Francorchamps. He currently has the most wins this season. Additionally, he has three other podium finishes. Hadjar aims to secure as many points as possible to leave Qatar as the FIA Formula 2 leader, heading into the final race with the best chance of success.
His teammate, Barcelona’s Martí, will also be one to watch closely this weekend. In his first season in the category just below F1, Martí has already tasted the podium three times, with double podiums in Sakhir and later in Spielberg. The young Spanish talent, who finished fourth in Monza, is eager to climb back into the top positions.
In the team standings, as previously mentioned, Campos Racing also has a significant role to play. With two meetings left, the Spanish team is in second place with 208 points and has enough margin to close the gap.
The Lusail International Circuit is the major novelty of this year's FIA Formula 2 calendar. Having hosted the Qatar F1 Grand Prix in 2021 and 2023, the track is 5.419 meters long with a main straight over a kilometer in length. Built in 2003, Qatar’s circuit is extremely demanding on tires due to its sixteen corners, many of which are linked and of high average speed, resembling other circuits such as Suzuka or Silverstone. The corners from 12 to 14 are a particularly tricky combination, adding extra stress to the left-side tires. Additionally, given the proximity to the desert, the track conditions improve significantly during the sessions due to the sand deposited on the asphalt. Free practice sessions will be vital for gathering as much information as possible before qualifying and the race.
Both free practice and qualifying will take place on Friday at 12:05 and 17:10, respectively. On Saturday, the sprint race will start at 17:20, while the main race on Sunday, with a mandatory pit stop for tire changes, will be at 13:20. All times are in Spanish time zone.
Adrián Campos (Team Principal of Campos Racing): "We have worked tirelessly in preparation for these last two decisive rounds in the title fight. Qatar promises to be a very challenging circuit for everyone, much like other circuits in the region. For the vast majority, it will be an unknown territory, but we trust that the competitiveness of our cars on all types of tracks will help Isack and Pepe quickly adapt to its specific characteristics. We are eager to perform well and leave Qatar heading to Abu Dhabi at the top of the standings. We won’t be lacking in motivation and hard work from everyone.”
Isack Hadjar (Campos Racing Driver in FIA Formula 2): “So excited to be back racing after nearly three months without driving. It’s a new layout for me and the team, so we except to make progress throughout the whole weekend and end on top on Sunday!”
Pepe Martí (Campos Racing Driver in FIA Formula 2): “I am very excited to be racing in Losail, it’s a new track for me and a first time in Qatar. The track is very quick and we will be running the hardest tire compounds available so it will be an interesting weekend, looking forward to it!”
Photos: © Dutch Photo Agency
