F2: Hauger takes maiden F2 pole in red flag-affected qualifying in Melbourne

Dennis Hauger took his first Formula 2 pole position in a dramatic qualifying session around Albert Park.

The MP Motorsport driver secured the top spot on his final flying lap, setting a 1m 28.694s to deny PREMA Racing and Mercedes Junior Team driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli pole.

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Antonelli had been provisionally quickest himself multiple times throughout the session, but had to settle for second ahead of Richard Verschoor, who made a late improvement in his Trident to end up third overall.

Hauger’s last-ditch effort put him 0.3s clear of Antonelli in P2, who in turn denied Invicta Racing’s Kush Maini a second-consecutive pole position with his own lap moments earlier.

Alpine Academy talent Maini wound up fourth ahead of championship leader Zane Maloney, with the Bajan driver fifth for Rodin Motorsport.

ART Grand Prix’s Victor Martins continued his difficult start to the 2024 campaign after an early spin put him on the sidelines. It brought out the first red flag of the session, with the Alpine Academy driver set to line up 22nd and last on the grid.

The second stoppage came with less than five minutes to go as DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford found the barriers at Turn 12, leaving the remaining runners with just one chance to take the top spot.

After his Formula 1 debut in Jeddah, Oliver Bearman was another big name to struggle in Melbourne, ending up down the order in P16.

To read an in-depth report of the Formula 2 qualifying session, head to the official website here.