Rafael Villagomez has had a difficult campaign in Formula 2 this season as the Van Amersfoort Racing driver has scored points on just four occasions.
The Mexican moved up from FIA F3 for 2024 after a two-year stint in the series to take the next step in his career.
Villagomez wasn’t a consistent frontrunner during his Formula 3 tenure and is behind his teammate Enzo Fittipaldi in the Formula 2 championship standings this year.
F2 is approaching the season’s end with two rounds to go in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The championship is also visiting the Lusail International Circuit for the first time.
A new track often adds an extra layer of complication to a weekend, as drivers need to learn a new layout within a short 45-minute practice session.
Villagomez explained to the official Formula 2 website that he is looking forward to Qatar’s challenge, but there is one significant unknown factor.
Rafael Villagomez explained that the drivers are unsure about the track’s level of grip in Qatar
The Lusail International Circuit is a very challenging layout with very little rest for the drivers between consecutive high-speed turns.
The pit straight is also very long and should create overtaking chances into the slightly banked Turn 1 with the help of DRS.
Humidity may also pose an issue, mainly as the Formula 2 car is very difficult to drive over a race distance with turbo lag and tyre degradation.
Testing is very limited in F2, meaning drivers will begin the sole practice session with very little experience on the track.
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Villagomez explained that he has been using a simulator to understand the basics of the circuit but the finer details will only be seen on the race weekend.
He said: “I’m excited for a new track, it’s going to be a challenge for everyone because we have very limited running time.
“So, I need to be prepared as well as possible because we’ve seen in previous years that the drivers struggle a lot with that track physically, so I’m making sure that I am prepared as well for that side.
“In the sim, you can more or less get a feel but you don’t know the kerb heights, how the track feels in terms of grip. So, we are just doing a lot of work to make sure we are prepared for all scenarios.”
Formula 2 in Qatar will highlight the importance of driver feedback
It is critical when a series goes to a new circuit that the driver learns the fine details quickly before getting into qualifying.
This may emphasise the drivers’ ability to adapt quickly and give productive feedback to tweak the car setup.
It could also favour the more experienced drivers such as Victor Martins, who is looking forward to Qatar and racing for ART with an even playing field.
Finding the limit of grip will be important during the 45-minute practice session, as the track will evolve quickly over the weekend.