Gabriele Minì Tops Melbourne F2 Practice! MP Motorsport Leads the Way

Minì's blistering lap time signals MP Motorsport's strong form ahead of the weekend

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:28am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Formula 2 race car in motion, with the driver and track elements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the practice session.A cubist interpretation of the intense on-track action and strategic dynamics at play during the Formula 2 practice session in Melbourne.Melbourne Village Today

In the first Formula 2 practice session in Melbourne, Gabriele Minì of MP Motorsport set the pace with a 1:29.137 lap, establishing his team as an early frontrunner. The session saw multiple drivers jockeying for position, with Sebastian Montoya, Dino Beganovic, and Nikola Tsolov all taking turns at the top before Minì reclaimed the lead. Red flags due to spins by Colton Herta and Inthraphuvasak disrupted the rhythm, but Minì demonstrated composure in regaining the top spot, hinting at MP Motorsport's potential for a strong qualifying and race performance.

Why it matters

Practice times in Formula 2 can reveal team and driver strengths, as well as foreshadow the competitive dynamics that will unfold in qualifying and the races. Minì's pace-setting lap suggests MP Motorsport has a well-balanced car that suits the demands of the Melbourne circuit, potentially giving them an early advantage over rivals like Prema, Campos, and Invicta Racing.

The details

Minì's 1:29.137 lap time was the fastest of the session, besting an initial surge from Sebastian Montoya and a late push from Nikola Tsolov. The MP Motorsport driver was able to reclaim the top spot after briefly losing it, showcasing his ability to manage traffic and tire wear. Other notable performances came from Noel León in second, followed by Câmara, Tsolov, and Beganovic rounding out the top five.

  • On the opening laps, Sebastian Montoya set the initial pace with a 1:33.093.
  • Dino Beganovic then improved to a 1:31.505, signaling the field was finding more speed.
  • Joshua Duerksen became the first driver to dip into the 1:30s with his lap.
  • Nikola Tsolov briefly took the top spot with a 1:29.668 before Minì reclaimed first.
  • Red flags for spins by Colton Herta and Inthraphuvasak interrupted the session.

The players

Gabriele Minì

The MP Motorsport driver set the fastest lap time of 1:29.137, establishing his team as an early pace-setter for the Melbourne round.

Sebastian Montoya

The Prema driver initially led the session with a 1:33.093 lap, showcasing the team's early pace.

Dino Beganovic

The Invicta Racing driver improved to a 1:31.505, demonstrating the team's ability to find speed as the session progressed.

Nikola Tsolov

The Campos driver briefly topped the timesheets with a 1:29.668 before Minì reclaimed the lead.

Joshua Duerksen

The Hitech Grand Prix driver became the first to dip into the 1:30s, signaling the potential pace in the field.

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What they’re saying

“Minì's performance in practice shows that MP Motorsport has a strong package for this weekend. They'll be the team to beat in qualifying and the races.”

— Noel León, Trident Racing Driver

“The red flags disrupted the rhythm, but the top drivers were able to bounce back and show their true pace. It's going to be a close battle all weekend.”

— Dino Beganovic, Invicta Racing Driver

What’s next

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The takeaway

This practice session has set the stage for an exciting qualifying and race weekend in Melbourne, with MP Motorsport emerging as the early favorites based on Minì's pace-setting lap. However, the competitive field and the impact of track evolution and traffic management will be crucial factors in determining the ultimate grid positions and race results.