Both pole positions for the Formula Regional by Alpine races are known: for Race 1, Saturday morning, Frenchman Hadrien David will have this honor after setting a time of 1:29.802 on Friday morning, in his last flying lap, just before the Group A checkered flag fell. A great performance for him, less than ten seconds behind the best times in Formula 2, at the wheel of a lighter but also much less powerful single-seater than a F2.
For Race 2, Sunday morning, this privilege will go to Swede Dino Beganovic, detached leader of the championship after two victories and two second places in the first four rounds of the year. He posted the best absolute time in qualifying on Friday: 1:29.429 , in Group B, four tenths better than David, with therefore a small option on a prestigious victory in the Principality on Sunday.
A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Beganovic, 18, was eagerly awaited, as was the Italian Gabriele Mini, who had set the fastest time in Thursday’s free practice. He achieved his best flying lap in the last five minutes of the session, after a red flag caused by a Chinese rookie going off the track.
Among the main favorites, Italian Gabriele Mini, 2nd in Group B, will start on the second row on Saturday and Sunday. However, these qualifications have dealt a big blow to the hopes of Estonian Paul Aron, a promising member of the Mercedes Junior Team. His front left suspension collapsed before he had time to set a decent time, at the very start of the Group A session. He will therefore start at the back of the grid with a huge challenge on his hands, in both races this weekend.