Lawson 12th, Armstrong 14th in Monaco F2 qualifying

Liam Lawson and Marcus Armstrong will make their Monaco debuts from 12th and 14th after a testing qualifying session.

The Kiwi Formula 2 duo were both put in Group B for the session. This is because the series split the field into two groups to minimise traffic congestion.

Despite having fewer cars on track, Lawson and Armstrong both found it challenging to put in a fully clean lap.

Lawson was sixth out of the 11 cars in Group B, while Armstrong was just one spot behind in seventh.

However, as per F2 rules, because polesitter Theo Pourchaire was in Group A, the results from Group B decided only the even-numbered grid spots.

Hence, Lawson and Armstrong both start outside the top ten.

Pourchaire’s blitzing lap would be the only time to dip below the 1m21s bracket and was nearly half a second quicker than Robert Shwartzman in second.

Reigning Formula 3 champion Oscar Piastri starts third, ahead of Dan Ticktum and Juri Vips.

Italian racer Alessio Deledda became the first F2 driver since 2009 to essentially fail to qualify for a F2 race after failing to match the 107 per cent rule.

The rule states that a driver must set a lap within 107 per cent of the fastest time in the first qualifying session.

Deledda’s best time was six-tenths over the 107 per cent rule and four seconds slower than the next car.

However, race officials have confirmed Deledda will still be allowed to start the first sprint race, albeit from the back of the grid.

Race one will be a reverse top ten of qualifying order and is scheduled to begin at 9.45 NZT.