Nikola Tsolov leads Formula 2 Madrid practice after late-session charge
Tsolov sets the benchmark in Madrid
Championship leader Nikola Tsolov made the ideal start to his Madrid weekend, placing Campos Racing at the top of the Formula 2 Free Practice timesheets with a 1:47.059. The Bulgarian finished 0.110 seconds clear of Nico Varrone, while Rafael Villagómez completed a strong showing for Van Amersfoort Racing in third.
Tsolov initially established the pace with a 1:50.065, but the order changed repeatedly during a disrupted session. Invicta Racing’s Joshua Duerksen briefly moved ahead by more than six-tenths before ART Grand Prix’s Kush Maini took control with a 1:49.120.
The session was then interrupted when Maini’s teammate Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak found the barrier at the exit of Turn 19. The Thai driver was out of the car and okay, while the session was extended to compensate for the lost running. The incident also prompted a separate stoppage in F2 Madrid practice, leaving the field with only a short window to complete its work.
Late improvements reshape the order
Alexander Dunne emerged as the first major beneficiary after the restart, going quickest on a 1:48.286. Dino Beganovic followed him across the line to take second, just 0.033 seconds off the leading time for DAMS Lucas Oil.
Tsolov responded immediately with a 1:48.245, then delivered the decisive improvement on his next lap. His 1:47.059 put him back on top and ultimately secured the session, with Varrone the closest challenger.
Maini appeared to take the honours at the chequered flag, but his lap was deleted for exceeding track limits. The session ended under yellow flags after Laurens van Hoepen hit the barrier at Turn 13.
Despite that off, van Hoepen classified sixth, behind Colton Herta and Dunne. Martinius Stenshorne was seventh, followed by Oliver Goethe and MP Motorsport teammate Gabriele Minì, with Rafael Câmara completing the top 10. Dunne also made slight contact with the barrier at the final corner on his last lap.
The teams now have a few hours to assess the opening data before Qualifying begins at 15:00 local time. Tsolov has already made the strongest statement, but the narrow margins behind him suggest the fight for the front of the grid remains open.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.