Academy Preview: Luke and Victor ready for final push

Lusail plays host to Round 13 of 14 in this year’s Formula 2 season, with the title fight heading into its final stages.

Both Williams Racing Driver Academy contenders have experience at the Lusail International Circuit, which could prove hugely beneficial as they look to end the season strong.

It was a tale of two races for Luke last time out in Baku, with a P2 finish in the Sprint before an early collision saw him finish P19 in the Feature. However he returns to Qatar still firmly in the championship picture.

A P11 and P15 in his two outings here last year will give him a foundation to build upon, armed with a season more experience this time around heading to Lusail.

He sits P3 in the standings, 27 points back from current leader Leonardo Fornaroli, with 76 points still up for grabs as he aims to keep his cool in the Doha desert.

Victor is set for his 40th round of Formula 2 this weekend, and he’ll be aiming to use some of that experience to navigate the high-speed turns of the Lusail International Circuit.

His previous visit to Qatar saw him secure P3 in qualifying, but he was unable to convert that to points with a P9 in the Sprint and retirement five laps from the flag in the Feature Race.

If our French racer didn’t have bad luck in 2025, he’d have no luck at all. That first win of the year remains elusive, but with a P2 and P3 already secured during the season, the top step is all that awaits as he looks to climb from his P11 position in the championship.

Free Practice: Friday, 14:05

Qualifying: Friday, 19:10

Sprint Race: Saturday, 19:20

Feature Race: Sunday, 15:00