Race and classic pictures

Maloney tops Formula 2 pre-season test in Bahrain

Rodin Motorsport’s Zane Maloney will head into the FIA Formula 2 Championship’s opening round in Bahrain in two weeks as a favourite for top spoils after topping the junior series’ three-day pre-season test at Sakhir.

While heavy rain impacted the running on Sunday, Maloney was fastest on Day 2 with a benchmark lap of 1:41.501 that would remain unbeaten on Tuesday, the final day of testing during which the 20-year-old Barbadian was also fastest from DAMS’ Jak Crawford and Rodin teammate Ritomo Miyata.

This week’s test marked the first time that Formula 2’s new car was out on track in full supply, with all 22 drivers taking part in the test ahead of Round 1.

“I think this year, for the first part of it, it’s going to be all about who can make the biggest steps with the car and then the driver getting a feel for it as quickly as possible,” commented Maloney.

Campos Racing and Red Bull junior Isack Hdjar.

While it is always difficult to read into the times during testing, the Sauber Academy Driver said that as much as drivers and teams like to disguise their ultimate pace, it can’t be hidden entirely.

“It's just testing of course, but even when you say that no one is sandbagging that much. We might not be at the limit that we will be in qualifying, but we also aren't much under, it's impossible to be.

“It’s a good sign but it still doesn't mean anything unless it's qualifying, and you have to put the lap together. It was a good lap from my side and I'm happy with the job the team and I did, got through all of our test plans and we're learning as we go.”

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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