Kush Maini took pole in the Formula 2 Qualifying session in Miami, despite the lack of experience driving in the Miami International Autodrome. The factor of the unknown provided an interesting Qualfying session as drivers tried to adapt as quick as possible while trying to set the best times possible. As the Qualifying session began, drivers decided to run with the Supersofts compared to the Medium tyres used during practice earlier on.
Câmara leads the early stages
The Campos Racing driver and championship leader, Nikola Tsolov, was the first driver to set a time early on the session. However, the Invicta lineup rapidly caught up as Joshua Dürksen set a new fastest time. A moment later, Rafael Câmara set a 1:40.441, temporarily taking the lead ahead of Alexander Dunne and Martinius Stenshorne.
Meanwhile, Tsolov was knocked out to eleventh as Tasanopol Inthraphuvasak improved to ninth and Colton Herta was promoted to 10th. That procured provisional pole for the Sprint race to the home driver Herta. We reached halfway through the Formula 2 Qualifying session with no changes on the top three as drivers went back to the pitlane.
Hectic second half of the session
With 10 minutes remaining of the Formula 2 Qualifying session, drivers got back out on track. Once again, Tsolov opened the next set of laps, positioning himself in provisional pole. However, after a quick exchange for the top position between Nico Varrone and Gabriele mini, is Kush Maini who set the fastest time of the session.
With five minutes remaining, Câmara went again, missing pole for 0.333 and settling in P2 ahead of Stenshorne. Maini parked up in the pitlane as drivers tried to give it another go, but an unexpected yellow flag interrupted the session with less than a minute to go.
A yellow flag closes the Formula 2 Qualifying
As Stenshorne went out, smoke started to come out of his car, forcing the driver to stop on track and triggering the only and final yellow flag of the Formula 2 Qualifying session. Despite the inconvenience, Stenshorne kept P3 as Dunne had a big lockup on his final lap and wound up fourth ahead of Mini, Varrone, Durksen, Oliver Goethe, and Laurens van Hoepen.
The current championship leader, Tsolov, finished P10 after missing the entirety of Free Practice earlier on. He will be starting on pole for the Sprint race on Saturday.
