In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Formula 2 season, teams had their first opportunity to test the new F2 car during a shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.
Each team utilized only one car, and the 20 confirmed drivers for the 2024 season took to the track for a six-hour session focused on assessing the car’s reliability and allowing teams to familiarize themselves with the new vehicle.
The shakedown commenced with Van Amersfoort Racing’s Enzo Fittipaldi, with other teams following suit. Invicta Racing, represented by Kush Maini, was the first to complete a lap in the morning session.
Throughout the day, a total of 286 laps and 1330 kilometers were covered before the lunch break. Teams engaged in long runs, with the most extended run spanning 13 laps.
After reopening in the afternoon, DAMS Lucas Oil’s Juan Manuel Correa was the first to hit the track. The teams continued their testing, completing 363 laps in the afternoon session. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of PREMA Racing recorded the highest lap count with 53, and the team conducted additional long runs.
In total, the teams accumulated 649 laps, covering 3018 kilometers during the shakedown. The drivers provided valuable feedback on the car’s handling, aerodynamics, and overall performance.
The positive outcome of the shakedown sets the stage for the upcoming three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain, leading up to the first race of the 2024 season. Formula 2,
Victor Martins of ART Grand Prix expressed satisfaction with the shakedown, emphasizing the importance of having a clean session with no issues. FIA Formula 2 Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot highlighted the significance of the shakedown in helping teams understand the new car’s operations and ensuring smooth functioning.
The attention now turns to the official pre-season testing in Bahrain, where all 22 cars will participate before the commencement of the 2024 Formula 2 season.
