Mid-Ohio – Qualifying 2: Linus jostles for pole as skies open on last day of season

Linus featured prominently in the scrap for pole position in a rain-hit last qualifying session of the season at Mid-Ohio, ultimately sealing a front-row slot for the 2021 Indy Lights finale.

A dramatic change in weather conditions meant the paddock woke up to a completely different proposition on Sunday morning, with overnight rain soaking the track ahead of Race 2 qualifying.

In highly treacherous conditions, Linus came to the fore between a flurry of red flags, setting the pace for much of the heavily truncated session.

Among those to hit trouble was championship leader Kyle Kirkwood, who slid off the track to cause a late stoppage with just five minutes to go.

Sitting on top of the timesheets as running resumed, Linus appeared on course for pole until team-mate David Malukas threw in a last-second improvement to go two tenths quicker – just as the red flags flew again to bring the session to a definite end.

As it was, Linus wound up second to his title-contending team-mate, the duo lapping more than 2.5 seconds clear of fellow GRG/HMD colleague Benjamin Pedersen in third place.

LINUS: “It’s good to be on the front row with David, but to be honest I’m actually really disappointed right now. I felt like I had so much pace, definitely enough for pole, but we lost out in between the last two red flags. It’s a little bit frustrating, but obviously it’s a great result for the team. I know we have some proper speed if the conditions stay like this for the race, and I will give it absolutely everything. I’ve said I want to win another race this season, and that target remains very much in place.”

The last race of the season is due to start at noon local time / 18.00, with rain predicated to remain in the Mid-Ohio area throughout the day to set up a likely end-of-year wet-weather thriller.