Yousef Al Rubayan leads the way in F2 Qualifying!
In blistering hot conditions, 16 of the world’s best F2 Drivers took the waters in the pretty town of Dunaujvaros to battle it out for the all important pole position on the tricky 2 pin course.
After weeks of anticipation, the UIM F2 World Championship finally got underway this weekend. Kuwait driver Yousef Al Rubayan ended the speculation of who could be the fastest man by dominating Free Practice and both Qualifying sessions. Yousef set a blistering pace of 44.22 and reigned supreme until the end of Q2 when his time was matched.
Surprise qualifying performances of the day came from Italy’s Paolo Zantelli, who has made a welcome return to F2 after a 5 year absence. Always a top contender, Paolo is straight back on the pace and snapping at Yousef’s heels, matching his qualifying time of 44.22
Bartek Marszalek also produced an impressive performance after finally getting to grips with his new BABA hull while former 3 times world Champion Colin Jelf also proved to be well into the mix by missing pole by 0.01 of a second with a 44.23 lap.
Current world champion Johan Coenradi of the Netherlands has to settle for 9th on the grid after battling engine gremlins all morning while local Hungarian driver Laszlo Kovacs settles for 14th on the grid while he struggles to get to grips with his new boat.
With such close qualifying times, tomorrow’s main race looks to bring an exciting spectacle for the hundreds of spectators and fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Who will win ?? It’s still impossible to predict !
UIM F2 Speed Record & Match Race will take place this afternoon at 17.00 local time ( GMT+2)
| QUALIFYING REPORT DAUNAUJVAROS | ||||||
| POSIT | NUM | DRIVER | NAT | TEAM | SESSION 1 | SESSION 2 |
| 1 | 11 | Yousef Al Robayan | KW | Port Ghalib Team | 00:44:22 | 00:44:25 |
| 2 | 25 | Paolo Zantelli | ITA | Team Zec | 00:44:66 | 00:44:22 |
| 3 | 4 | Colin Jelf | GBR | Jelf Racing | 00:44:94 | 00:44:23 |
| 4 | 77 | Bartlomiej Marszalek | PL | Marszalek Racing | 00:44:92 | 00:46:40 |
| 5 | 3 | Owen Jelf | GBR | Jelf Racing | 00:45:22 | 00:45:38 |
| 6 | 51 | Uvis Slakteris | LAT | Riga Powerboat Team | 00:45:24 | 00:45:28 |
| 7 | 8 | Eric Stark | SWE | Team Getel | 00:45:78 | 00:45:34 |
| 8 | 80 | Ivan Brigada | ITA | Team Riverstar | 00:45:37 | 00:45:81 |
| 9 | 1 | Johan Coenradi | NL | Holland Sportboat Racing Team | 00:46:22 | 00:45:84 |
| 10 | 6 | Philippe Tourre | FRA | Motul | DSQ * | 00:46:67 |
| 11 | 70 | Robart Beranger | FRA | Vikings Team | 00:47:70 | 00:47:07 |
| 12 | 20 | Nick Bisterfeld | GER | Bisterfeld Racing | 00:47:44 | 00:47:33 |
| 13 | 2 | Johan Osterberg | SWE | AJO | 00:49:48 | 00:47:39 |
| 14 | 27 | Laszlo Kovacs | HUN | Formula Team Hungary | 00:47:86 | 00:48:23 |
| 15 | 16 | Rupert Temper | AT | Team RTWV | 00:00:00 | 00:48:44 |
| 16 | 82 | Béla Cserni | HUN | Starthu-Teo Powerboat | 00:00:00 | 00:53:37 |
Article courtesy of UIM, the Hungarian Powerboat Federation (Hungary N.A.) and Jeni Jelf
