Bennett optimistic for Sprint after best F2 Qualifying result in Montreal

John Bennett was able to cap off a great day for TRIDENT in Montreal, securing his best Qualifying result in P7 on Friday afternoon.

With teammate Laurens van Hoepen claiming pole position around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, it continued the strong start to the 2026 campaign that has brought several points finishes and podiums so far.

Reflecting on his session, Bennett said that he was hugely grateful to the work the team has put in this year, and was pleased to secure a positive result to repay their efforts.

“Obviously it’s a good result, very happy with it and I want to say a massive well done to the team,” Bennett said in the paddock following the session.

“They've worked so hard over winter, and we keep just improving every weekend. And of course, also a huge congratulations to Laurens on pole. So yeah, a good weekend for all of us.

“Just putting in a lot of work since the last round on the sim and a lot of preparation with the team. But it felt in a good place from the start of this weekend. FP was in the right direction with P11 and then in quali, just every lap improving on the last.”

With Montreal being yet another new track for the teams and drivers, Bennett says that there is an element of unpredictability that comes with learning a new circuit.

So far, the weekend has gone well with the team putting both cars into the top 10 for both races. He says that the races should be action-filled, and says the track should produce great wheel-to-wheel battles.

“I kind of hooked it together in the last lap. For sure there was still some time here and there, but in Formula 2 everyone always says that. And it's so close, anything can happen.

READ MORE

• QUALIFYING: Van Hoepen delivers for TRIDENT and earns maiden F2 pole
• Dunne happy with ‘enjoyable’ Free Practice in Montreal

“So I think it will be a super exciting weekend for sure. Just like Miami, this new track seems to really suit this car. Qualifying was close, I think the racing will be great, so looking forward to it. And the fans are great. I think they're loving having us here.”

There were two Red Flag stoppages during the Qualifying session, making the task even tougher for the drivers to stay on top of track conditions whilst maintaining full focus during the delays.

He says that it was an extra positive that he was able to come through and put in a great result, and added that the mentality is something he feels has improved from his rookie season in the Championship.

“I think I stayed quite focused on the job at hand. I think for sure that's something that would have thrown me off last year.

“But that's something that I've really improved on as a driver coming into my second year. In Formula 2 you never really know quite what's going to happen. And even if there's a predicted lap time that you think is going to happen, you just need to maximise every lap you can, because you never know when the session is going to end.

“So it's really just about mentally resetting, it doesn't matter where you are at, just perform the best that you can at the time.”

READ MORE

• PRACTICE: Dunne leads Rodin 1-2 in Montreal opener
• Beganovic thinking bigger picture and Championship fight ahead of Montreal

With two opportunities of strong points in Canada, Bennett says that he is targeting a solid points haul in both races ahead of the Sprint on Saturday.

While he’s hopeful of converting an advantageous grid position into results, a maiden visit to the podium is something the TRIDENT driver admits he would love to achieve.

“In Formula 2, you always have to think about maximising the result that you can. Not to get carried away with focussing on the outcome or anything. So, I'll just be treating it like a normal race, try my best, get a clean start, and then see where it goes from there.

“We're in a good position in both races, being P4 and P7. So yeah, really looking to just maximise the points possible. If I come away with the trophy, then that's a cool bonus.”