Ralph Boschung secured his best-ever grid position during Friday’s FIA Formula 2 qualifying session in Jeddah, taking fourth place for Sunday’s Feature Race.
After a promising start to the season in Bahrain, the Swiss driver carried his strong pace to the fast-flowing Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the scene of his first F2 podium last season. Ralph was able to challenge for pole position throughout the twice red-flagged session to secure fifth place, which became fourth following a penalty for another driver.
Starting seventh for Saturday’s reverse-grid Sprint Race, Ralph showed good pace throughout, crossing the line to take the final point in eighth before a post-race penalty dropped him out of the points.
Showing strong pace throughout the opening laps of Sunday’s Feature Race, Ralph was unable to maximise his pace due to a set-up change and finished out of the points.
The next round of the F2 season will take place at Imola on 22-24 April, the first time the championship has raced at the historic Italian circuit.
Ralph Boschung: “It’s great to return to Jeddah after such a positive result here last year. It’s a fast circuit and a lot of fun to drive. I was feeling strong about coming back after Bahrain, so I was happy to continue challenging at the front during qualifying. I had the potential and the speed to be on pole, but unfortunately the red flag came out on one of my fastest laps, when I had already set two purple sectors.
“My best lap was good enough for fourth in the end, but it could have easily been third if I didn’t encounter traffic at the final corner. During the Sprint Race, I was able to fight with the cars around me and finish eighth. After the race we received a penalty as I stopped too far forward in my grid slot and dropped out of the points. In the Feature Race we tried something with the set-up, but it didn’t work the way we wanted it to. We understand why it happened and I’ll work with the team to be back at the front in the next round at Imola.”