PREMA Racing’s Ollie Bearman might be starting from the best possible grid slot for the FIA Formula 2 Barcelona Feature Race, but he still used the rain-affected Sprint to sharpen his skills for the main event.
The polesitter spoke to insideF2 in the paddock after his P7 finish underneath a showery sky in Formula 2’s Sprint Race.
“I was hoping for a dry one today,” Bearman admitted. “Just to get the experience ready for tomorrow. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“We had a test here where we covered our full programme, so I’m confident for the [Feature] race.
“The goal will be to get a clean start and see where we stand, but I’m confident.
The treacherous conditions caught out Juan Manuel Correa, who beached his VAR, and saw others collide as the 22 drivers battled the elements.
Bearman decided for a cautious approach with the inclement weather, opting for survival over glory.
“The goal was to complete the [Sprint] race. Although it’ll be different conditions, it’s still important to do the laps and prepare for tomorrow.
“In the end, it was a bit of a stalemate race for everyone. We were all sat there just outside DRS range, even if it wasn’t active.
“I couldn’t really do much more. It’s tough to push and overtake without destroying your tyres, especially with the track drying. And unfortunately in the dry, we only had three laps so not enough to make a difference.
“It’ll probably be a similar race tomorrow, even in the dry. A bit of a DRS train. The goal will be to be at the front of it.”
Starting from pole should make that hope of being at the better end of a DRS train a little easier.
The British teenager is starting to get a knack for those P1 starts after his excellent Baku weekend two rounds ago and now in Barcelona.
“Fridays have been getting better and better. Monaco is a bit of a unique one, like we saw, […] but yeah, I think Fridays have been going well in general.
“Especially as I’ve got more experience in the car. I felt super-confident yesterday and just put a clean lap together.
“And now we’re coming to tracks that I know, so I’m even more confident for the next ones.”
Image: PREMA Racing
