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.

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.”