Trident have confirmed the signing of John Bennett for the 2026 Formula 2 season, completing their driver lineup, following the signing of Laurens van Hoepen.
Bennett joined the F2 grid at the end of the 2024 campaign and since has achieved two point finishes, and in his first full campaign this year, he finished 22nd in the Drivers’ Standings.
Prior to that, the British driver finished as the runner up in the 2021 Ginetta GT5 Challenge and also in the 2024 GB3 Champion.
Bennett is now returning for a second full season in F2, and is happy to be doing so with Trident.
I’m extremely happy to race with TRIDENT Motorsport in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship. I am very grateful for this great opportunity and to continue fighting in the second tier. I can’t wait to get on track and achieve excellent results together. Bennett on the news.
We are very pleased to announce that John Bennett will race for Trident Motorsport in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship. He is a driver we had the chance to observe during the recently concluded season, where he showed solid development. I am confident that the British driver has all the qualities needed to work well with our technical staff and deliver a competitive campaign. Giacomo Ricci, TRIDENT Team Manager.
MP Motorsport have confirmed the signing of Gabriele Mini for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.
Mini is set to return for a second full campaign in the Championship after a 2025 season that saw him achieve three podiums, and finish 13th in the Standings with 72 points.
Prior to that, the Italian achieved his maiden F2 podium in his debut weekend in the Baku Sprint Race back in 2024, finishing third. That same year, Mini finished second in the Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship.
Mini has also previously won the 2020 Italian F4 Championship and placed second in the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship.
The 20 year old is now set to return for another season in F2, and spoke of his delight at the opportunity to do that with MP.
I’m very excited to be able to join MP Motorsport for my second full season in FIA Formula 2. Their drivers have been strong rivals all throughout my career in single-seaters, and definitely in F2 as well, so it’s good to be switching to their side for next year! I know it’s a Dutch team, but teaming up with MP is some sort of homecoming as well, as their engineering team is led by three highly regarded Italians who have won several titles in Formula 2 and know all about winning. I can’t wait to get to work with them and the rest of the team, and head out to Melbourne fully prepared for our first race together. Mini on the news.
It’s wonderful news that Gabriele will be part of our FIA Formula 2 line-up in 2026. He was a champion in his first season in F4 and a title contender in FRECA and F3, so his natural talent is up there with the best. With Gabriele on board, now with a full year’s experience of F2 behind his belt, we aim to consistently challenge for wins in 2026. Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport Team Principal.
Laurens van Hoepen will race with Trident in 2026 the team has confirmed, stepping up to FIA Formula 2 full-time next season.
The Dutch driver has raced with the Italian team in both the Baku, Lusail and Yas Marina rounds, gaining valuable experience ahead of the 2026 season.
During the F3 campaign this season, van Hoepen achieved two podium finishes en route to P12 in the Drivers’ Standings.
I’m excited to compete in next season’s FIA Formula 2 Championship with TRIDENT Motorsport. The experience gained in the three appearances I made in this championship has been very useful in preparing for this step. Together with the technical staff, we made progress that will be fundamental for next year. We have an intense and challenging season ahead of us. van Hoepen on the news.
We are very pleased to announce that Laurens Van Hoepen will contest the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship with Trident Motorsport. He is a driver we’ve had the chance to get to know and appreciate in the final part of this season. After his positive debut in Baku, Van Hoepen immediately felt comfortable with the team. I am sure the Dutch driver has all the qualities required to do a great job with our technical staff and to compete in a highly competitive season. Giacomo Ricci, Trident Team Manager.
Ritomo Miyata will be racing for Hitech TGR in the 2026 Formula 2 season, the team has confirmed.
Miyata will be returning for a third campaign in the Championship having achieved one podium in the Spa-Francorchamps Feature Race this season, finishing 16th with 26 points.
The Japanese driver also has previous title-winning success, having won the 2020 Super Formula Lights and 2023 Super Formula and Super GT achieved two podiums in the 2024 Formula 3 season Championships.
Miyata will now be returning for another campaign in Formula 2 with Hitech.
I’m really excited to be joining Hitech for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season. My first campaigns in F2 have been invaluable for my development, allowing me to gain experience with the cars, tyres, and circuits, and to refine my racecraft against some of the strongest young drivers in the world. Hitech has proven itself as one of the most competitive and professional teams in Formula 2, and I’m confident it’s the perfect environment to continue developing, challenge at the front, and deliver consistent results every weekend. I’m also grateful to Morizo-san, Toyota Gazoo Racing and everyone who has supported me on this journey. My goal is to keep improving, achieve podiums and strong race results, and continue pushing toward the highest level of this sport. Miyata on the news.
We’re delighted to welcome Ritomo to the team for 2026. He’s already proven his quality in Formula 2 and brings a championship-winning background from Japan that adds further depth to our exciting new driver line-up. With Colton Herta joining from IndyCar and Ritomo continuing to build on two strong F2 campaigns, this pairing combines experience, adaptability, and great potential. Hitech has enjoyed two very competitive seasons in Formula 2, and we’re determined to carry that momentum into 2026. With Ritomo and Colton, we believe we have one of the most exciting and accomplished driver line-ups on the grid. Hitech Team Manager, Clive Hatton.
Rodin Motorsport have confirmed that Alexander Dunne will be returning to race with the team in 2026 – completing their lineup for next year following the announcement of Martinius Stenshorne.
Dunne will be coming back for a second campaign after a strong rookie season in which he achieved two victories, six additional podiums and finished fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.
The Irishman’s record also includes winning the 2022 British F4 Championship, finished second in Italian F4 that same year and in the 2023 GB3 Championship, as well as achieving two podiums in the 2024 Formula 3 season.
Dunne will now return for another season and spoke of his excitement at returning to the track with Rodin in 2026.
I’m really happy to be staying with Rodin for the 2026 season. I’ve built a great relationship with the whole team and the way we work together is really positive. I’m confident that we will be fighting for the title next year. Dunne on the news.
We’re really pleased to have Alex back with the team for a second year. He’s made strong progress throughout this season and we’ve seen real maturity in how he approaches his work both on and off the track. With the experience he’s gained and the continuity we now have, I’m confident he can take another big step forward. It’s great to continue this journey together. Benn Hutingford, Rodin Motorsport Sporting Director.
Oliver Goethe will return for another season of FIA Formula 2 with MP Motorsport the team has confirmed.
The German driver joined the team partway through the 2024 season, before competing in his first full season this year. He finished this season 15th with 37 points to his name.
Before Formula 2, Goethe took part in the FIA Formula 3 Championship as well, finishing 8th in 2023 and 7th in 2024, that year he also took part in the Macau Grand Prix where he finished second.
In November 2023, it was announced that Goethe had joined the Red Bull Junior team and have been since.
I’m truly delighted to stay with MP Motorsport for my second year in FIA Formula 2. Over the years, the team has become a second home away from home for me, and through all the adversity our bond has only grown stronger this year. Now having experienced a full season of F2, my plan is to capitalise on all the knowledge that I’ve gained over the year and build on that with the experienced engineering crew at MP. First I’m aiming to give this season the best possible finish, and then it’s full speed ahead to 2026! Goethe on the news.
We’re all very happy that Ollie has decided to join us for another season in F2. It’s been a true delight working with him, and the fact that we know each through and through will only be an additional benefit going into 2026. Ollie scored some good points this year, but on several occasions fate agonisingly decided otherwise. Next season’s FIA Formula 2 Championship will be as fiercely competitive as ever, but we will start 2026 prepared to the teeth, with the aim of forcing luck to fall our way. MP Motorsport Team Principal, Sander Dorsman.
PREMA Racing have confirmed that Sebastian Montoya will be returning with the team for a second Formula 2 season in 2026 – completing their driver line up following the announcement of Mari Boya.
Montoya returns with the Italian team having had a strong rookie campaign and having had a strong rookie campaign, and heading into the final round, he has three podiums and finished the season 12th in the Standings.
Prior to that, the 20 year old had two full seasons in Formula 3, achieving several points finishes, including two podiums.
The Colombian driver is now set to continue with the team for a second season in F2, an opportunity his excited to have.
I’m really happy to be with the team again in 2026. I think the work we have done this year has been incredible, we had some ups and downs, but the biggest thing has been the learning process and how we’ve merged together. The work combines really well, and in the end, we all have one goal. I think the mindset for next year is just to keep our head down, keep pushing, and see what it brings. Montoya on the news.
We are thrilled to have Sebastian with us again in 2026. We are confident in his potential, and with the pace he has shown so far this year, we look forward to seeing him compete with more experience under his belt. This year, he proved his ability to learn and progress even in such a testing environment as in FIA Formula 2, and was a great team player all around. Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing Team Principal.
PREMA Racing have announced the signing of Mari Boya for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.
Boya makes the step up after a strong 2025 campaign in Formula 3, in which he fought the title having achieved five podiums in total, including a victory at the Silverstone Feature Race.
The Spaniard wound up third in the Standings before competing in the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, where he finished second.
The Aston Martin Driver Academy member will now step up to Formula 2 with PREMA, and speaking at the announcement, Boya expressed excited he was to get started with the team.
Super excited about joining PREMA for my rookie FIA Formula 2 season. Really eager to start working with the team. I feel I have a great opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things go. I’m particularly happy to have longer races than in F3, which I really like, and also pit-stops and tyre deg to deal with. Let’s hope for a good season. Boya on the news.
We are happy to welcome Mari to the team. If we look at his career, we see a strong progression, and in addition to his speed skills, we know he is a smart and hard-working driver. We are looking forward to seeing how these skills will mix with the team, and we are confident he will continue his form to bring home positive results. Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing Team Principal.
ART Grand Prix has announced the signing of Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.
The Thai driver is set to make the step up from FIA F3 next season with the French team after finishing seventh in the Drivers’ Standings. He claimed three race victories across the season, along with a further two top five finishes.
He also took part in the FIA Formula 2 Season Finale in Abu Dhabi with Trident, so has had his first weekend in the Formula 2 car.
I’m very proud to finally announce that I will be joining ART Grand Prix for my rookie season in Formula 2. The team has proven over the years with its great successes, so I’m confident it’s the right environment for me to take this next step. I’m excited to start this new chapter and to work with everyone in the team ahead of the season. Inthraphuvasak on the news.
Tasanapol delivered a solid season in FIA F3, with three wins and some strong performances. He now has the opportunity to take on the next step in Formula 2, and we look forward to seeing how he adapts to this new challenge. Sebastien Philippe, ART Grand Prix Team Principal.
Invicta Racing have confirmed the signing of the 2025 Formula 3 Champion Rafael Camara for the 2026 season, completing their line-up for next year.
After a stellar campaign in F3, during which he achieved four victories, five pole positions and podiums in total on his way to winning the title with a round to spare, Camara will now step up to Formula 2 with Invicta.
Camara graduates to the second tier with an impressive record in single seater racing having won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and finished third in the Middle East equivalent that same year and in 2023 also.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member will now step up to Formula 2 with Invicta, racing alongside Joshua Duerksen.
I’m very proud to be joining Invicta Racing for my first season in Formula 2. Over the past few years, this team has become the top target for any driver who wants to race in F2 and has shown time and again that it knows how to develop young drivers. To follow Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli in making this step as Formula 3 Champion is a huge honour. After an incredible season in F3 this year, I feel ready for the next challenge, and I can’t wait to get started with the team. Camara on the news.
We’re thrilled to welcome Rafael to Invicta Racing for 2026. At every stage of his career to date, he’s shown pace, consistency, and maturity, delivering outstanding results that really speak for themselves. To have the reigning Formula 3 champion join the team for a third consecutive season underlines our commitment to providing the very best young talent with a platform to perform at the highest level, and we’re very excited to see what Rafael can achieve next season. James Robinson, Invicta Racing Team Principal.
Leonardo Fornaroli kicked off his Lusail weekend in strong form, setting the fastest time of the free practice session with a 1:38.656. The Invicta Racing driver completed that time with his final lap of the 45 minute outing, with Hitech TGR’s Dino Beganovic in second and Rodin Motorsport’s Alexander Dunne in third.
After the first set of laps though, it was MP Motorsport’s Richard Verschoor who topped the timesheets with a 1:41.163, with Fornaroli in second, over two-tenths behind.
Fornaroli then led the way with a 1:40.342, but it was close at the top, as Verschoor and Victor Martins went to within 0.080s off the Italian’s leading time.
Luke Browning then took over at the top on a 1:39.701, while Verschoor made things even closer, going to within 0.009s of his title rival, as Fornaroli settled into P3.
Browning lowered the time to beat on his next attempt with a 1:39.285, and this time he was followed by the Invicta pairing of Fornaroli and Roman Stanek. The Hitech TGR driver then ducked into the pitlane after that lap but the Championship leader continued on and went fastest on a 1:39.064.
Browning had then been on a quicker lap but ran wide in the final sector. However, his teammate Beganovic continued to fly the Hitech flag going to P2, 0.044s off Fornaroli’s time.
As the session entered its final stages, the drivers were still finding time on their hard tyres, with Dunne jumping up to third. Fornaroli continued to set the standard and improved to a 1:38.656 on his final lap, although Beganovic closed to the gap to 0.102s moment later.
Qualifying-
Oliver Goethe claimed his maiden FIA Formula 2 Aramco Pole Position Award, logging a 1:36.115 for MP Motorsport.
Championship leader, Leonardo Fornaroli had been fastest for much of the qualifying session but was bested by just 0.040s to wind up second, ahead of ART Grand Prix’s Victor Martins in third.
PREMA Racing’s Sebastian Montoya set the early pace before the Invicta Racing duo of Roman Stanek and then Fornaroli went quicker still. The pair were split by Jak Crawford, but it was the Championship leader that went P1 on a 1:37.850 after the first laps.
Martins delivered a 1:37.512 to go to the top on his second attempt, until MP Motorsport teammates Oliver Goethe and Richard Verschoor went 1-2.
Stanek put Invicta back on top with a 1:37.189, but teammate Fornaroli once again went quickest of all, this time laying down on a 1:36.996. Several drivers began to peel into the pitlane to bring their first run to a close, but Goethe went to within 0.075s of Fornaroli on his third flying lap, improving to P2.
Into the final 10 minutes and everyone returned to the track with fresh Soft tyres and Dino Beganovic delivered a time good enough for provisional pole on a 1:36.826.
Fornaroli was flying behind though, and he went back to P1 on a 1:36.307. Stanek cut the gap down to 0.214s in P2, while Goethe delivered the third-quickest time to go ahead of Beganovic.
Goethe though found enough time to go in front of Fornaroli as both drivers improved on their final attempts, just 0.040s between them in favour of the MP driver as he set a 1:36.115.
However, Goethe was handed a grid penalty following the conclusion of qualifying, as he impeded Martinius Stenshorne at Turn 6. It then promotes Leonardo Fornaroli for pole position in the feature race.
Sprint Race-
Duerksen got the best launch from the front row to take the lead from Verschoor, while Nikola Tsolov slotted into third place on the run to Turn 1.
Championship leader, Leonardo Fornaroli went wheel-to-wheel with teammate Roman Stanek on the opening lap and attempted a move on the second tour, though was unable to clear his teammate as the Invicta Racing pair fought over seventh place.
Onto Lap 4, and with DRS enabled, Verschoor had clawed his way back to within a second of Duerksen and he swept back into the lead at Turn 1.
The MP title-hopeful was comfortably the fastest driver on track in the following laps, extending his advantage over the pack to two seconds.
Further back, a wide moment at Turn 4 on Lap 12 lost Victory Martins P11 to Dino Beganovic and on the following tour he was passed by Gabriele Mini, dropping him to 13th.
Lap 14 and a collision between TRIDENT teammate Laurens van Hoepen and James Wharton left the latter beached in the gravel at Turn 1. It brought out the Safety Car and wiped out race leader Verschoor’s four-second advantage.
Stanek opted to pit, the only driver from inside the top 10 to fit the softs, while Arvid Lindblad, Oliver Goethe, John Bennett, Luke Browning, Cian Shields and Kush Maini also fitted the red-marked tyres. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver did however come to a halt before racing resumed, extending the Safety Car period.
Racing resumed entering Lap 17 with Verschoor retaining his lead over Duerksen with seven laps to go. By Lap 20, the advantage was back out to 2.4s with Tsolov trailing by a further second in P3.
A spin for Shields on the exit of Turn 5 brought out the Safety Car once more, bringing the pack back together and setting up a final lap shootout. Verschoor got things back underway and the fight for the podium places heading into Turn 1 was on.
Tsolov was rounded by Villagomez, who ran wide ahead of Turn 2 but claimed the place, whilst the Bulgarian driver went wide himself and fell from third to 10th.
The Dutch driver was untroubled though, taking the Lusail Sprint Race victory ahead of Duerksen and Villagomez after his final lap pass on Tsolov.
Feature Race-
It was a great start from Martins, taking the lead from Fornaroli going into Turn 1, while Dunne took P4 for Oliver Goethe at Turn 3.
The Rodin driver was chasing Roman Stanek for third, but ran wide at the final corner. It allowed Goethe and Nikola Tsolov to close in, although Dunne was able to hold off the chasing pair.
Martins then set the fastest lap and by the start of lap 3, he had built up a 1.7s gap to Fornaroli, with the Italian coming on the radio to complain of his soft tyres to his Invicta tam.
Further behind them, Sebastian Montoya used the DRS to good effect to get ahead of Tsolov for P6 into Turn 1. Martins was 4.1s clear of Fornaroli by the start of Lap 5, and it looked like Invicta were struggling on the soft tyres, as Dunne overtook Stanek for P3 into Turn 1.
The pit window opened up at the end of Lap 6 and Fornaroli, Dunne, Montoya, Verschoor and Duerksen came in to swap to the Hard tyres.
The race leader was in on the next lap, joined in the pitlane by Goethe and Stanek. It was a slow stop for Martins, but he was still able to come back out ahead of Fornaroli and Dunne.
At the front of the field, Dino Beganovic was the lead driver on the alternative strategy and by the end of Lap 10, he had built a 7.1s lead to Arvid Lindblad.
But in the battle for the net race lead, Fornaroli and Dunne were closing in on Martins, the Championship leader 1.4s behind by the start of Lap 11. Verschoor was looking to fight his way through the field and having overtaken Villagomez, he bided his time before overtaking Stanek, putting him in a net P7.
The Safety Car was then deployed on Lap 15, with Oliver Goethe having stopped on track, just as Dunne and Tsolov were given five-second time penalties for an unsafe release in the pitlane.
Racing resumed on Lap 17 of 32, and Beganovic once again was showing good pace, and had built a 1.7s lead to teammate Luke Browning by the start of the next lap.
Martins was now up to fifth, leading the drivers who had pitted, but he was struggling to overtake Laurens van Hoepen, allowing Fornaroli to close in on the Frenchman.
Beganovic was 4.2s clear of Browning at the start of Lap 22, while Fornaroli was now 1.1s behind Martins, just as Lindblad on his Soft tyres, continued to reduce the gap.
But by Lap 25, the option tyre runners were starting to struggle, as Dunne closed in on Lindblad for seventh on the road. However, the Campos Racing driver held him off at Turn 1.
In the battle for the net race lead, Fornaroli was now within DRS range of Martins, while Dunne went to the inside of Lindblad at Turn 1 to take seventh place.
After a superb stint, Beganovic was called in to fit the softs at the end of Lap 27, coming back out in P12. Browning and Bennett then pitted on Lap 29, leaving Martins and Fornaroli to fight for the race win.
However the ART driver was 1.1s clear of Fornaroli, as Dunne closed in, looking to build the five second gap he needed to keep third ahead of Lindblad. But out in front, Martins had done enough to win the Feature Race, but the day belonged to Fornaroli, as he claimed the 2025 FIA Formula 2 title by finishing second.
Van Amersfoort Racing have confirmed that Nicolas Varrone will be driving for the team in the 2026 Formula 2 season.
The Argentine driver has been racing in sports cars since going over to Europe in 2018, and has won several trophies, including winning the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGTE Am class. Prior to that, he also finished third in the 2021 Le Mans Cup in the LMP3 class.
Varrone now makes the switch to single seater racing, but does have previous experience in an F2 car having driven on the final day of post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last year.
At the announcement, the 24 year old spoke of how excited he was at the chance to race with VAR in 2026.
I’m super excited to be joining Van Amersfoort Racing for the 2026 F2 season. A very professional team with a lot of history and success. Can’t wait to get behind the wheel and start working with them. Thankful to everyone who believed in me all these years. Varrone on the news.
We’re very pleased to welcome Nico to Van Amersfoort Racing for our 2026 FIA Formula 2 campaign. His experience and achievements in endurance racing, including his success at Le Mans, speak for themselves. Stepping into Formula 2 will be a new challenge, but with his talent and technical understanding, we’re confident he will adapt quickly to the environment. We’re looking forward to working with him and believe his arrival will bring great value to the team as we take on the season together. Brad Joyce, Van Amersfoort Racing Team Principal.
Invicta Racing have announced that Joshua Duerksen will be racing for the team in the 2026 Formula 2 season.
Duerksen is set to return for a third season in the Championship, having achieved two victories and four podiums in his rookie campaign in 2024, finishing 10th in the standings with 87 points.
So far this season through the first 12 rounds of his second year in F2, Duerksen has one win and five podiums in total.
Prior to his stint in Formula 2, finished second in the 2019 Formula 4 UAE Championship and sixth in the 2020 ADAC F4 and 2021 Italian F4 seasons.
I’m incredibly proud to be representing Invicta Racing and Paraguay for the 2026 Formula 2 season. The team has shown over several years that it’s one of the very best in the championship, and I’m excited to seize this huge opportunity. I’ve learned a lot during my time in F2 so far, and I feel ready to fight at the very front every weekend and to show what Paraguay is capable of. I’m really looking forward to starting work with everyone in the team, and I’m confident that we can achieve great things together next year. Duerksen on the news.
Joshua has been one of the standout performers in Formula 2 over the past couple of seasons and we’re very excited to welcome him to Invicta Racing for 2026. He’s a proven race winner with not only the speed, but the mindset to fight at the sharp end of the grid. Joshua’s ability to extract performance under pressure and his commitment to constant improvement have immediately impressed us, and I’m confident that we will deliver some strong results together next year. James Robinson, Invicta Racing Team Principal.
DAMS Lucas Oil have announced their first driver signing of the 2026 season, with Dino Beganovic set to race for the team next year.
Beganovic is in the midst of his first full campaign in Formula 2 and is currently eighth in the Drivers’ Standings with one victory and pole position, as well as four podiums in total.
Prior to that, the Swede competed in the final two rounds of the 2024 F2 season with DAMS, achieving a third-place finish in the Yas Marina Sprint Race.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member also achieved nine podiums, which included two wins during his two seasons in Formula 3.
Beganovic also won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine after finishing third in the 2020 Italian F4 season.
I’m extremely happy to return to DAMS Lucas Oil for another season in Formula 2. I felt an instant connection with the team last year — both on a professional and human level — and we showed great potential together, including a podium in Abu Dhabi. I’m grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me, and for the continued support from the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. The goal now is to build on the progress we’ve made and fight consistently at the front. Beganovic on the news.
We were impressed by Dino’s maturity and professionalism during his first outings with us. His work ethic, technical understanding and consistency perfectly match the values of our team. We’re thrilled to welcome him back for this next step in his career, and we’re confident we can achieve great things together. Charles Pic, DAMS Lucas Oil Team Owner.
Campos Racing have confirmed the signing of Noel Leon for the 2026 Formula 3 season – completing their lineup for next year following the announcement of Nikola Tsolov.
Leon steps up to F2 after two seasons in Formula 3, achieving six podiums across both campaigns and finishing 10th in the Drivers’ Championship as a rookie in 2024.
Prior to that, the Mexican driver won the 2023 Euroformula Championship. He also took the 2019/20 NACAM Formula 4 Championship title and the 2021 US F4 Championship.
Leon is now set to take the next step in his career by graduating to Formula 2 and at the announcement, he expressed his delight at being able to do so with Campos.
It is an honor to take this important step in my career and join Campos Racing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. I am truly grateful for the team’s trust and for the support of my sponsors, whose commitment has made this dream possible. Campos is a team with great history and experience, and I am fully committed to learning from them and giving my very best in this new chapter. Leon on the news.
We are proud to welcome a driver of Noel’s caliber to our FIA Formula 2 team for 2026. His titles in junior single-seater categories speak for themselves, and I am convinced he has plenty to say in FIA Formula 2, even as a rookie. At Campos Racing, we will provide him with all the tools necessary to ensure his adaptation to the category is as quick and effective as possible. Adrian Campos Jr, Team Principal.
Hitech TGR have confirmed that Colton Herta will be racing for the team in the 2026 season.
Herta joins the grid after seven full seasons in IndyCar where he achieved 19 podium finishes, which included nine victories as well as 16 pole positions and a best result of second overall in the 2024 season.
Prior to that, the Cadillac F1 Team Test driver, finished third in the 2015 MSA Formula Championship and the 2016 Euroformula Open Championship.
In addition to that, Herta also ended up second in the 2016 Spanish Formula 3 Championship. The American driver now returns to racing in Europe with Hitech and he is excited to get going in 2026.
I’m incredibly excited to be joining Hitech for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season. This is a big shift in my career, and I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve loved my time in IndyCar and I’m proud of everything I achieved, but the opportunity to race in F2 – to compete on the Formula 1 calendar, against some of the best young drivers in the world – was one I couldn’t pass up. I’ve always worked to keep the door to F1 open, and this move is part of that ultimate ambition. I know it won’t be easy – learning the car, the tyres, the tracks – but I’m approaching this with determination, focus, and a lot of motivation. My goal is to compete at the front, continue developing as a driver, and put myself in the best possible position for a future in Formula 1. Hitech has an excellent reputation and a proven track record, and I’m confident it’s the right environment for me to develop and perform. I want to thank them for believing in me and providing the platform to make this step. Herta on the news.
We’re delighted to welcome Colton to the team for the 2026 Formula 2 season. He already brings a level of experience, professionalism, and talent that we’re typically used to nurturing in drivers as they progress through the junior categories. This is an exciting step for Colton, but also a challenging one. He’s stepping into a new racing environment that has very different formats, with high expectations, and a clear goal of progressing to F1. But his determination and commitment are impressive and we’re delighted to help maximise his potential during the 2026 season. Clive Hatton, Hitech TGR Team Manager.
Rodin Motorsport have confirmed their first driver signing for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season, with Martinius Stenshorne set to step up with the team next year.
Stenshorne recently made his F2 debut in Baku in what was an impressive showing, qualifying in the top 10 and contending for a strong finish in both races before being forced to retire from both the Sprint and Feature races.
The Norwegian competed in the 2025 F3 season with two wins and a further three runner-up finishes across the year, finishing fifth overall in the standings.
Prior to F3, Stenshorne finished second in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine in 2023 and earned multiple karting titles before stepping up to single seaters in 2022.
I’m really excited to be joining Rodin Motorsport in the 2026 Formula 2 Championship. This is a big step forward in my career, and I’m grateful to the team for their trust and support. I can’t wait to get started in Abu Dhabi for the post season test and give it everything on track this upcoming season! Stenshorne on the news.
Confirming Martinius as our first FIA Formula 2 driver for 2026 is an exciting step for the team. He’s shown speed and maturity throughout his junior career and his debut in Baku gave a clear indication of the potential he brings. Formula 2 is a big challenge, but we’re confident he has the ability to adapt quickly and deliver strong results. We’re looking forward to supporting his development and working with him as he makes the step up. Benn Huntingford, Rodin Motorsport Sporting Director.
AIX Racing have announced that Cian Shields is set to return for a second season in FIA Formula 2 with the team in 2026.
Shield is currently in the midst of his rookie campaign in the Championship with the team and so far, has a best result of P11 at the Imola Feature Race.
Prior to that, the 20 year old has one full season in FIA Formula 3 in 2024, and finished second in the 2023 Euroformula Open Championship, with four victories to his name.
Shields is now set to continue in Formula 2 next year and following the announcement, he expressed confidence in his ability to continue to grow with AIX.
I’m happy to continue with AIX Racing for another season in FIA Formula 2. This year had its challenges, but I’ve taken a lot of lessons from it and I feel ready to come back stronger. With the experience we’ve built together, I’m confident we can take a big step forward and fight for the results we want. Shields on the news.
We are excited to continue with Cian for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season. The 2025 season has been challenging for him and the team, but we strongly believe in his talent and determination. With the team’s full backing and support, we are confident that we can create the right environment for Cian to take the next step forward; the step that both he and the team are striving for. Morne Reinecke, AIX Racing Team Principal.
Campos Racing have announced their first driver signing for the 2026 Formula 2 season, with Nikola Tsolov set to race for the Spanish team next year.
The 18 year old makes the step up to F2 after a stellar Formula 3 career, during which he secured five wins, the most by any driver in the Championship’s history.
Two of those victories came with Campos this season and with another four podiums, he went on to finish second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Prior to this year though, the Tsolov and Campos partnership proved to be a title-winning one when in 2022, the Bulgarian won the Spanish F4 Championship thanks to his 13 wins in 21 races.
The Red Bull junior is now set to step up to F2 next season and he is delighted to be doing so with Campos.
I am extremely happy to take the next step in my career and move up to FIA Formula 2 with Campos Racing once again. Together we have worked very hard and achieved success in both F4 Spain and FIA Formula 3, which gives me great confidence heading into next season. This is another step closer to my dream, and I will be pushing harder than ever to deliver strong results. Tsolov on the news.
We are extremely proud to continue working with Nikola for another year. He is very much one of our own, having taken his very first steps in single-seaters with Campos Racing. In the two seasons he has raced with us, he has been a champion and a runner-up, which are clear credentials of his outstanding talent. A Formula 2 car is, of course, another level, but despite his youth he already has a wealth of single-seater experience, displays great maturity, and we are confident he will also make his mark in FIA Formula 2. Adrian Campos Jr, Campos Racing Team Principal.
AIX Racing have become the first team to confirm part of their plans for 2026 with the signing of Emerson Fittipaldi Jr for next season.
The Brazilian, son of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, will be making his Formula 2 debut next season.
Fittipaldi Jr has been racing in the Eurocup-3 Championship in 2025 and is currently 13th in the standings.
In 2021 he took part in the F4 Danish Championship where he finished 3rd overall with 2 wins, and 8 podiums to his name.
Last year he took part in the Eurocup-3 where he finished 5th overall with 4 podiums to his campaign.
Speaking about his confirmation for 2026, Fittipaldi Jr said that it was a huge opportunity, and that he was looking forward to working with AIX team.
I am very much looking forward to this opportunity. Racing in the FIA Formula 2 is going to be a big learning curve for me. I will be competing against the best drivers in the world, so it will be an honour to be racing against all of them on the race track. My expectations are that I will be learning a lot, every single day and every single week. Emerson Fittipaldi Jr on the news.
Luke Browning made a quick start to his Budapest weekend, as the Hitech TGR driver topped the timesheets of Friday’s morning’s Free Practice session.
With his final lap of the 45 minute outing, the Williams Racing Driver Academy member completed a 1:30.609 to go to P1 at the chequered flag, with Oliver Goethe and Alexander Dunne rounding out the top three.
The red flags were waving early on in the session following a stoppage for ART Grand Prix driver Ritomo Miyata’s at the exit of Turn 1.
Running resumed with just under 35 minutes to go, and it was AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen that set the pace on a 1:32.879.
However, that time was beaten by several drivers, as the fastest lap changed hands on several occasions. But it was Goethe that led Richard Verschoor, in an MP Motorsport 1-2 with a 1:31.139.
The MP pairing continued to set the pace as Goethe improved to a 1:30.753, while Verschoor stayed in P2, 0.291s off his teammate.
Victor Martins and Dino Beganovic then went to second and third respectively, but both finished laps that were over two and a half tenths off Goethe, the German having just lowered the time to beat to a 1:30.742.
As the session entered into its final 10 minutes, Invicta Racing’s Roman Stanek went up to second, cutting the gap to P1 to 0.176s.
But the Czech driver was quickly pushed down to P4 as Dunne and then Browning went up to second. However, the Hitech driver was still 0.131s off Goethe’s leading time.
As the session entered into its final moments, several drivers were still improving, one of those being Browning, who completed a 1:30.609 to snatch P1 away from Goethe.
Qualifying-
Roman Stanek took his maiden Aramco Pole Position Award with a superb performance in Budapest, beating his Invicta Racing teammate Leonardo Fornaroli to the top spot.
The Czech driver completed a 1:28.779 to go P1 but had to watch on front the pit lane as Fornaroli finished his final attempt. However, the Italian missed out on pole by 0.146s, as DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford sealed P3.
Arvid Lindblad was the first driver to set a lap and completed a 1:30.319 to set the early benchmark. But there were several improvements behind him, as Oliver Goethe continued his form from Free Practice to go top on a 1:29.308.
Then, Stanek eclipsed the MP Motorsport driver’s time by 0.141s to take P1 after the first lap.
The drivers were able to push on for a second lap on their soft tyres, and Stanek extended his advantage out in front with a 1:29.107, putting 0.181s between he and Goethe.
Stanek’s teammate Fornaroli had made the decision to come out of the pitlane later than the rest of his rivals, giving him the chance to do his push laps on an empty track.
The Championship leader briefly went P1 but his time was deleted for exceeding track limits. He continued for another attempt, ending up P4 just as the field returned for their final laps.
With a new set of soft tyres, Stanek lowered the benchmark time to a 1:28.779, with Crawford going up to second, 0.173s off the pace, as Luke Browning went up to P3.
Fornaroli the returned to the track with just over four minutes left in the session, having fallen outside the top 10, as his rivals finished came back into the pitlane.
With the chequered flag waving the Invicta driver went to P2, 0.146s off Stanek, who took his maiden Formula 2 Pole Position.
The full top 10 are- Pole: Stanek, P2: Fornaroli, P3: Crawford, P4: Browning, P5: Duerksen, P6: Goethe, P7: Martins, P8: Lindblad, P9: Dunne and P10: Marti.
FIA Formula 2 and the FIA have announced their calendar for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship and once again, the season will comprise of a total of 14 rounds, all of which are the support events of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The 11 teams and 22 drivers will contest a total of 28 races across 13 countries, with a new venue added to the calendar as Formula 2 goes to Madrid for the very first time.
The tenth season of Formula 2 will open in Melbourne, Australia in early March, before heading to the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir in April, back to back with Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
The 2026 campaign, approved by the FIA World Motorsport Council, will pick up in Europe with a busy month of June, starting with Monte-Carlo, Monaco the first week, followed by Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain a week later. Spielberg, Austria will conclude that month and the action will carry on the following week in Silverstone, Great Britain on the first week of July.
The paddock will then travel to Spa-Francorchamps two weeks later and before the summer break, Round 9 will take place in Budapest, Hungary. The action will return at Monza, Italy early September, before Madrid concludes the European season in September the week after.
Baku, Azerbaijan will be next on September 25th-27th. After a break, Round 13 will take place in Lusail, Qatar on November 27th – 29th, while the season will end at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on December 4th – 6th.
Once again, we can look forward to some fantastic F2 racing in 2026, when the series returns to 14 Grands Prix. We welcomed four F2 drivers up to Formula 1 this year, which has demonstrated how critical the pyramid system is to the sport and its ongoing success. 2026 is going to be a great season, with exciting action, as the drivers take on the ultimate circuits, all of which have different challenges to test their skills and their abilities. I’m grateful to Bruno Michel and all the teams who make the series possible and the FIA, promoters, stewards and volunteers, and our partners Aramco and Pirelli who enable the races to take place. We’re all ready for a brilliant season ahead! Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
The FIA Formula 2 Championship continues to prove itself as a vital platform for developing the next generation of top drivers, and the 2026 calendar reflects our commitment to delivering a competitive and globally diverse series. With 14 rounds across three continents, including the exciting debut of Madrid as a new venue, Formula 2 remains closely aligned with Formula 1 while carving its own identity. As we mark the tenth season of the Championship, I look forward to another year of outstanding competition and progression in one of the most important steps on the single-seater ladder. FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
I’m very pleased to announce our calendar for the 2026 season. F2 is the ultimate preparation for Formula 1 as proven by the strong performance of the drivers who have joined the F1 grid in 2025. Racing on Formula 1 tracks and in front of the F1 paddock is absolutely key. Next season, we remain with 14 rounds in total, all support events of F1. As announced previously, we are adding a new venue with Madrid, which should be an exciting new track for our drivers and teams. As always, we have designed this calendar with the costs in mind to ensure that the teams’ budget remain at a healthy level. FIA Formula 2 CEO, Bruno Michel.
Victor Martins was in a class of one on the opening day of running in Monte Carlo, logging a 1:21.715 to lead the way for ART Grand Prix.
The Frenchman was the only driver in the 1:21s in Practice, as Luke Browning and Leonardo Fornaroli followed in second and third places for Hitech TGR and Invicta Racing respectively.
With the first round of laps on the board, Championship leader Alexander Dunne set the pace on 1:25.666 for Rodin Motorsport.
Sami Meguetounif settled into second less than a tenth behind in the #22 Trident, with Gabriele Mini third for PREMA with 10 minutes gone.
Jak Crawford and then Martins brought the time to beat down, the ART driver took over P1 with a 1:24.014. The Frenchman then improved to go six-tenths clear, putting in a 1:23.230 on his next attempt.
Martins continued to fly, with the Williams Racing Academy talent improving onto a 1:22.623, with fellow Williams junior Browning in P2.
There was a brief lull as drivers returned to the pitlane for a fresh set of tyres before the final 15 minute spell of on-track running.
With Supersoft tyres fitted, Mini looked set to go quickest but a Red Flag was thrown after Amaury Cordeel nosed his Rodin Motorsport car into the Turn 1 barriers.
He was out of the car and the Rodin was recovered , leaving seven minutes of Free Practice left to run as things went back to green flag conditions.
There were several late improvements, with Mini resuming from where he left off prior to the temporary stoppage as he went quickest of all.
That was until Martins completed his Supersoft lap to go 0.7s clear of the pack with the fastest time of time of the day.
Browning and Fornaroli found a late improvement to go second and third quickest, splitting Martins and dropping Mini to fourth.
Day 2-
The even numbered cars kicked off the first segment and with warm up laps completed, Martins picked up his pace immediately to put in a 1:21.792 for the top spot by over a second.
Arvid Lindblad cut that gap down to just under three-tenths on his first effort for Campos Racing, going to second.
Into the final five minutes and Lindblad became the first driver to displace Martins from the top spot, going to provisional pole momentarily until Richard Verschoor secured P1 with a 1:21.520.
Martins had to abandon his second attempt after cutting the Nouvelle Chicane, but he moved back to provisional pole after a cool down lap, setting a 1:21.145.
On to the final attempts, Martins couldn’t improve but he had done enough to retain the top sport in Group A, finishing up 0.375s ahead of Verschoor in P2.
With the target set, the odd numbered cars followed out of the pitlane, and just as the first flying laps were set to get underway, the red flags were waving.
Rafael Villagomez found the barriers at the final corner after a squabble for track position with Alexander Dunne.
Once the Van Amersfoort Racing car was recovered, the stewards confirmed the incident would be investigated after the session.
Preparation laps complete, Dunne set the pace with a 1:21.781 to go to P1 ahead of Leonardo Fornaroli of Invicta Racing.
As the session ticked into the final three minutes, the next set of laps arrived and the Championship leader improved onto a 1:21.437. Sebastian Montoya found more time also.
With less than a minute to go, Dunne found a session-best first and second sector time and a final sector good enough to set a 1:21.142.
Fornaroli improved to second position, but third placed driver Montoya spun to bring out the yellow flags in the final sector.
The full top 10 overall is- P1: Dunne, P2: Martins, P3: Fornaroli, P4: Verschoor, P5: Montoya, P6: Lindblad, P7: Crawford, P8: Mini, P9: Browning and P10: Maini.
Alexander Dunne started the Imola weekend on the front foot, topping Free Practice for Rodin Motorsport on a 1:27.907. Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad followed the Irish driver, just 0.009s down in P2, while DAMS Lucas Oil’s Kush Maini completed the top three.
Gabriele Mini led the pack after the opening 10 minutes of running and initial laps, a 1:30.416 put the Prema driver top of the pile just 0.07s ahead of Victor Martins in P2.
Lindblad was the next to deliver a substantial improvement as the Red Bull Junior lowered the time to beat down to a 1:29.031.
Times continued to tumble as the track improved, and the drivers continued to push on. Mini re-took top spot on his next attempt with a 1:28.526 while Dunne put Rodin second in the order.
Martins then put ART Grand Prix on top, going 0.027s quicker than Mini’s earlier lap to leave the four separated by just 0.060s as Luke Browning went fourth for Hitech TGR.
DAMS’ Maini had been P2 by just 0.027s but he found a sizeable improvement on his next attempt to go quickest, 1:28.022 the new benchmark effort.
Lindblad was the first into the 1:27s to re-take P1 for Campos. Rodin were back on top entering the final five minutes as Dunne pipped Lindblad by just 0.009s for top spot as the session wound down to a close.
Qualifing-
Dino Beganovic times his qualifying lap perfectly to beat the red flags and the rest of the field to earn his first pole position in Formula 2.
The Hitech TGR driver logged a 1:24.418 to lead PREMA Racing’s Sebastian Montoya and ART Grand Prix driver Victor Martins, with the top three separated by just 0.006s.
Arvid Lindblad got the ball rolling with a 1:28.175 to lead the pack but he was pipped by Martins and Alexander Dunne in short order, the Irishman continuing from where he was in practice.
The Rodin driver’s 1:27.827 was later beaten by Lindblad who moved back up to the top by going, 0.012s quicker on his next attempt.
After a brief spell back in the pitlane, drivers returned to the track with 10 minutes to go in the session and conditions improving.
Montoya hit the front next for PREMA, but his time was bettered by Beganovic by just 0.003s. The Swede got his 1:27.418 in just before the red flags were waving.
Kush Maini suffered a spin into the barriers at Taburello, with the clear up of the DAMS car not being able to be completed in time, the session was not resumed.
Day 2-
Pole sitter Ritomo Miyata lost the lead to Crawford at lights out on the run to Turn 2. Lindblad surged up to P3 from fifth on the grid ahead of Browning and Victor Martins in the top five, after the ART Grand Prix driver moved up from eighth.
By Lap 4, Crawford had managed to escape out of DRS range to Miyata behind, while despite having DRS to the car ahead, Lindblad couldn’t close in on the ART in front of him.
Browning managed to break away from Martins, leaving Miyata to fend off the British duo behind him in the fight for second, with Crawford building his lead back up to beyond a second by Lap 10.
Lindblad attempted to dive to the inside of Turn 2 on Lap 11, but Miyata defended well to retain second position. One lap later and the Red Bull Junior made the pass stick, clearing the ART before corner entry at Tamburello.
Lap 13 and Miyata had to defend from Browning to keep hold of third into the favoured passing area at Turn 2.
Hitech TGR’s Dino Beganovic looked to be lining up a move on Joshua Duerksen for the final points paying position, but a wide moment out of Variante Alta allowed Roman Stanek to go through for P9.
Browning finally cleared Miyata on Lap 14 into the second corner, with the Japanese driver losing the benefit of DRS. One lap later and it was Martins through on teammate Miyata into Turn 2 for fourth.
Stanek’s charge continued as he managed to commit to the outside of Duerksen at the second corner to take P8 from the AIX Racing driver.
Alexander Dunne had told the team he was playing the long game earlier in the race, and he moved into the top five with a pass on Miyata along the main straight.
Leonardo Fornaroli had to defend seventh from Invicta Racing teammate Stanek at Turn 2 as the Czech driver applied the pressure with six laps to go.
Lap 22 of 25 and Dunne managed to claw his way to within a second of Martins ahead, who in turn was catching Browning in the fight for the final podium position.
The trio were covered by 1.5s entering the penultimate lap, while in front of them, Lindblad had closed in on the race leader and was on the cusp of DRS to the DAMS driver.
Unfortunately for the Campos rookie, they entered the final lap separated by 1.2s and the American driver held on for his first win of the 2025 season.
Day 3-
Prior to lights out, Sebastian Montoya stalled on the grid at the beginning of the Formation Lap. It meant P2 was vacated as the PREMA Racing driver was forced to start from the pitlane.
Beganovic aced his launch at the race start, but it was Leonardo Fornaroli on the move, climbing to P2 as Victor Martins was the second staller of the day, the ART Grand Prix driver left stranded on the grid. Arvid Lindblad capitalised also, taking third ahead of Dunne having started behind the Rodin driver.
With DRS enabled, the top three closed back up and by Lap 6, Beganovic, Fornaroli and Lindblad were covered by less than a second.
The top four were in at the first opportunity to fit the soft tyres entering Lap 7. Fornaroli lost out in the pitstops, dropping to the back of the quartet, while Dunne gained two places, coming back out behind Beganovic.
Jak Crawford and Luke Browning responded on the following lap, pitting to fit the red-walled tyres and the Brit got the jump on the DAMS Lucas Oil driver to come out ahead.
The Hitech TGR driver rejoined with the effective race lead and right in front of teammate Beganovic, who had Dunne on his rear wing. The Swede attempted to go around the outside of Browning at Tosa, but ran out of room on corner exit, allowing Dunne to split the Hitechs and move up a position.
With DRS on Lap 9, Dunne made the move into Turn 2, clearing Browning into the first chicane to take effective race lead.
The early pitstops handed P1 over to Josep Maria Marti, who was fighting with AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen as the leading pair on the alternative strategy.
Lap 14 and Duerksen swept around the outside of the Spaniard to take the lead just before a Safety Car was deployed. Rafael Villagomez was left stranded at Turn 4 having sustained damage in a battle with Sami Meguetounif.
Gabriele Mini and John Bennett took the chance to make their mandatory stops and switch to the supersoft Pirelli tyres. The PREMA driver came out ahead of Lindblad in P11, with Bennett joining the queue just behind Crawford in P15.
The Safety Car was withdrawn entering Lap 19 and Duerksen held onto the lead. Behind them, Dunne was on the move immediately to pass the first of the leading pack yet to pit in Max Esterson.
Browning, made the pass into Piratella, but Dunne was through on teammate Amaury Cordeel at Turn 2 but once again, Dunne immediately put another car between them, passing Miyata into Tosa with a dive down the inside.
Lap 25 and Dunne was up another position, clearing Roman Stanek into the first chicane to move up to third on the road. The Rodin driver then cleared Marti on Lap 26 with the same move at Tosa to take second and he quickly closed on race leader Duerksen.
Across the line onto Lap 27, he used DRS to move into P1, with Browning still running fifth behind those yet to pit on the alternative strategy.
Browning moved up to fourth with a pass on Stanek at Turn 2 on lap 29, with teammate Beganovic passing Cordeel in the same place just behind. Lindblad was able to pounce on an error at Tosa by the Rodin driver to take seventh on the road later in the lap.
Duerksen pitted on lap 30, and Browning passed Marti at the first chicane to move up to second, but Dunne had escaped up the road to the tune of five seconds. The Irish driver had things under control and by the chequered flag, crossed the line to win his second Feature Race of the season by over six seconds to Browning and Beganovic.
The full top 10 are- P1: Dunne, P2: Browning, P3: Beganovic, P4: Lindblad, P5: Fornaroli, P6: Crawford, P7: Goethe, P8: Montoya, P9: Verschoor and P10: Meguetounif.
Pole-sitter Verschoor has a great start to retain the lead while Marti jumped ahead of Gabriele Mini to take second after lining up in P3, going around the outside of the PREMA driver at Turn 1.
Lindblad also had a good first lap for Campos, going from sixth on the grid to fourth, and he was right on the back of Mini going into the final corner of the first lap.
However, the Brit’s progress was briefly halted as the Virtual Safety Car was deployed with the marshals having to clear Cian Shields’ car from the track. Racing resumed on Lap 3 and both Campos drivers were flying. First Lndblad used the DRS to get ahead of Mini going into the final corner.
His teammate Marti then went around the outside again at Turn 1 to start Lap 4, this time on Verschoor to take the lead of the race. Verschoor though returned the favour on the next lap, pulling off a similar move on the Campos driver to retake the position.
Crucially though, his overtake later earned him his five-second time penalty after being judged to have forced Marti off track to complete the move.
Onto Lap 6 and the race began to settle down as the drivers looked to manage their medium tyres. Out in front, Verschoor had pulled out a 1.5s gap on Marti, who was now coming under pressure from Lindblad.
The change for P2 came on Lap 8 as Marti ran wide at Turn 8, giving Lindblad the position. The Spaniard went off line again at the final corner and this time it was Mini who overtook him.
However, the Campos driver retook the position with the help of DRS down the main straight. Mini then lost fourth place to Stanek at Turn 27, but their battle allowed Dunne to close in. The trio went three-wide into Turn 1, and the Rodin Motorsport driver came out on top to take 4th.
As Lap 15 got underway, Jak Crawford used DRS to get ahead of Leonardo Fornaroli into Turn 1, pushing the DAMS Lucas Oil driver up to seventh.
The American was flying and was right on the back of Mini through the entirety of the lap. He looked to make another move into Turn 1 but collided with the PREMA driver before spinning into a stoppage, bringing out the Safety Car.
Action resumed on Lap 18 and Verschoor stayed ahead of Lindblad, but Mini’s struggles continued, as Fornaroli overtook him for P6 down the main straight.
DRS was enabled on Lap 19, but Verschoor was 1.2s ahead of Lindblad as they approached the second sector.
On to the final lap, and Verschoor’s penalty was confirmed meaning that while the MP driver crossed the line first, Lindblad followed and claimed P1,, making him the youngest winner in the Championship’s history.
Crawford covered off Martins from the front row, while Sprint Race winner Arvid Linblad lost fifth to Alexander Dunne at Turn 4 after losing a battle with Luke Browning for P4 at the opening chicane.
Josep Maria Marti then relegated Lindblad to seventh on Lap 2, passing around the outside at Turns 1 and 2 as the Campos Racing teammates kept itc clean going wheel-to-wheel.
Having been cooped up underneath the rear wing of the Invicta Racing driver for several laps, Browning used DRS along the main straight to take third from Leonardo Fornaroli on Lap 6. Dunne made a late dive to bump the Italian down another position into Turn 1.
Fornaroli, Marti and Gabriele Mini were in on Lap 7 for their mandatory pitstops and switched to the Medium tyres. It promoted Verschoor into free air in fifth, the MP driver in the highest placed car on the alternative strategy having started on the yellow-walled compound.
Leader Crawford pitted on the following lap, as did Browning and Dunne from the top five, they then rejoined in 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.
Dunne and Browning went side by side into Turn 1 but the Rodin driver went deep into the corner and rejoined, baulking Browning and allowing Fornaroli to sneak by both for 11th on the road.
The Virtual Safety Car was then deployed to recover debris on track just before Martins and Crawford reached the first DRS zone of the lap, allowing the ART driver some respite with his tyres not yet up to racing temperature.
The VSC was withdrawn towards the end of Lap 19 and Crawford on the rear wing of the effective race leader. The DAMS driver used DRS to get alongside the Frenchman into Turn 1, and the duo went side by side all the way to Turn 4.
Crawford got a great exit from Turn 27 to set up the pass on the following lap, taking ninth on the road from Martins with DRS along the main striaght.
Behind them, Browning had Dunne, Marti and Mini for close company and the Spaniard made the first move, diving to the inside of the Rodin rookie at Turn 27 to P13.
Race leader, Verschoor was carrying on nicely. He had a comfortable gap back to second placed Kush Maini and continued to lap quicker than Crawford, with several purple sector times and fastest laps approaching 10 laps to go.
By Lap 24, the Dutch driver had a 26.8s gap over Crawford and the MP driver was into the pitlane for his switch to Supersofts. With a clean stop, he rejoined behind Crawford but crucially ahead of Martins in P4.
With four laps to go, Verschoor was three seconds back from Crawford. Across the line into the final three laps, it was down to 2.5s and onto the penultimate tour, the Dutch driver cut the deficit to 1.3s.
Through the first sector on Lap 27 and Verschoor was into DRS range on the DAMS driver ahead. Out of Turn 27 and he was right underneath the rear wing and across the line with DRS, Verschoor surged by for the race lead on the final lap.
The Dutch driver claimed victory with a redemption drive. Crawford was second ahead of Martins, who held off Fornaroli for the final spot on the podium.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verschoor, P2: Crawford, P3: Martins, P4: Fornaroli, P5: Marti, P6: Browning, P7: Lindblad, P8: Dunne, P9: Mini and P10: Maini.
Victor Martins made a positive start to Round 3, ending up fastest for ART Grand Prix in Free Practice. A 1:45.671 was the time to beat in a session that got quicker with every lap completed.
Roman Stanek started positively too for Invicta Racing, finishing second ahead of Dino Beganovic, who made a late improvement to go third for Hitech TGR.
After the tyre preparation laps, Joshua Duerksen set an early benchmark with a 1:49.034 for AIX Racing.
The times fell with every subsequent lap as Martins put ART on top with 10 minutes run on a 1:47.735, until Kush Maini pipped him by 0.012s. Stanek was next to go quickest, a 1:47.689 by the Invicta driver meant the top three was separated by just 0.046s.
The trio improved once again but this time it was Maini who led the way, 1:46.437 for the DAMS Lucas Oil driver leaving his 0.3s clear ahead of Stanek and F2’s latest Feature Race winner, Alexander Dunne.
Jak Crawford put in an improved to cut the deficit to teammate Maini to just 0.013s, but Martins went back to the top shortly afterwards.
Duerksen returned to P1 with 15 minutes to go of the session as the Paraguayan set a 1:46.387, leaving the top five separated by less than a tenth of a second.
Stanek then restored Invicta to the top of the pile as he moved onto a 1:46.217. Crawford cut the gap to 0.031s as he improved to second as Martins then went third and 0.087s off the top.
Gabriele Mini took P1 for PREMA Racing, but only briefly, as a storming lap by Stanek resulted in a 1:45.820 and the fastest time once again.
Into the final five minutes, and times continued to fall, Martins laid down the marker of a 1:45.671 to go back ahead of Stanek. A last minute improvement from Beganovic put him third ahead of Duerksen.
Qualifying-
DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford left it to his last lap of the day to take pole position in Jeddah, beating ART Grand Prix rival Victor Martins for the top spot by just 0.022s in a fascinating qualifying session.
Martins had looked set for pole after completing his first flying lap, but Crawford’s 1:43.579 was enough to take the top spot, as Invicta Racing’s Leonardo Fornaroli rounded out the top three.
Martins set the early pace after the first set of laps, the Frenchman completing a 1:44.559 to lead Rodin Motorsport’s Alexander Dunne by 0.323s.
The drivers though were able to push on for a second attempt on their Supersoft tyres, and on this occasion, it was Arvid Lindblad on top thanks to a 1:44.250. Martins kept his place in the top two though, albeit 0.073s off the Campos Racing rookie.
Several drivers, including Lindblad, then set off for a third flying lap. However, they aborted those attempts to head into the pit lane for a new set of tyres.
With just over 11 minutes to go in the session, the drivers came back out on the track on their new sets of tyres.
Gabriele Mini used that fresh rubber to rocket up to the top of the timesheets, only for Luke Browning to quickly drop him down in P2.
As the rest of the field looked to complete their laps though, the red flags were waved following John Bennett’s crash into the barrier at Turn 17.
Once the car was cleared from the track the session resumed with 5 minutes remaining, which led to a flurry of activity with only enough time for one flying lap.
Crawford rose to the top with a 1:43.579, beating Martins by just 0.022s to give DAMS their first pole since Melbourne in 2023.
The full top 10 are- Pole: Crawford, P2: Martins, P3: Fornaroli, P4: Browning, P5: Lindblad, P6: Dunne, P7: Marti, P8: Mini, P9: Verschoor and P10: Stanek.
Pole-sitter Duerksen got the start he needed to retain the lead, but Victor Martins was squeezed on the approach to Turn 1. He was off the road into the polystyrene boards, leaving him with front wing damage and at the back.
Sebastian Montoya’s race was also over early as he was pointed the wrong way and out of the running on the opening lap. That brought out the Safety Car as his PREMA Racing car was recovered and Turn 1 was cleared up.
The Safety Car was in at the end of the lap and Duerksen retained the lead ahead of Beganovic and Rafael Villagomez. Verschoor had closed to within DRS range of Villagomez ahead and with a switchback out of Turn 4, seized third position on Lap 10.
Up Ahead, the leading pair of Duerksen and Beganovic were three seconds clear of the pack, but the Swede was sticking with the race leader closely. Onto Lap 11 and with DRS up the hill to Turn 4, Beganovic moved to the inside and claimed the race lead.
As many settled into tyre preservation mode, Dunne was on the move again with a dive at Turn 1, passing Villagomez for fourth on lap 13.
The Safety Car was back out on lap 16 after Max Esterson came to a stop in his Trident car. It brought several drivers into the pit lane for a stop.
Back to racing conditions on Lap 19, Beganovic ran slightly wide at the final corner, inviting pressure from Duerksen behind. The Paraguyan re-took the top spot at Turn 1 while behind them, a four car scrap for third went the way of Verschoor, but Marti was able to pass Dunne for fourth a few corners later.
The Rodin driver made slight contact with Browning and fell behind the Hitech TGR driver on Lap 20. An attempt to re-pass Browning at the first opportunity into Turn 8 opened the door for Arvid Lindblad to take seventh from the Irishman on corner exit.
Lap 22 of 23 and Beganovic drew alongside Duerksen, but he couldn’t make the pass stick at Turn 4. That gave Verschoor the chance to take second, but Marti got the switchback on both of them out of Turn 8 to seize second for himself.
On the final lap and Marti’s charge continued and with DRS he claimed the lead into Turn 1. The AIX driver couldn’t fight back and had to defend from Verschoor, but his running wide at Turn 11 allowed the MP driver to gain second just a handful of corners from the finish.
Marti earned his first win of the year in some style, ahead of Verschoor and Duerksen. However, after the race Duerksen was disqualified as he breached the Technical Regulations. It promotes everyone up one position, with Dino Beganovic taking the final podium position.
Day 3-
Fornaroli aced his start but wheelspin for Martins dropped him down to seventh by Turn 1. Dunne seized second ahead of Roman Stanek and Rafael Villagomez. The Mexican driver was able to sneak his way by for third at Turn 10, while Josep Maria Marti had charged up to fifth from P11 on the grid on soft Pirelli tyres.
Those running in the top eight were all fitted with the softer compound, Joshua Duerksen in P9 leading those on the white-walled hard tyres on the alternative strategy. That was until lap 5 when Luke Browning took ninth from the AIX Racing driver out of Turn 4.
After Marti had passed Stanek, Martins was on the move up ahead, taking fifth from the Czech driver at the Turn 8 hairpin.
Having trailed by over a second in the early laps, Dunne closed to within DRS range of race leader Fornaroli approaching the pit window opening, half a second back in P2.
With DRS on Lap 7, Dunne took the lead of the race into Turn 1 from Fornaroli, who’d reported his tyres were beginning to fall away from him. Marti mirrored that move for third position a few metres behind the leading pair, while Martins took advantage himself, getting the run into Turn 4 to take fourth from Villagomez.
Lap 10 and Stanek was able to re-pass Villagomez with DRS into Turn 4 to move himself back into the top five.
Martins was the first of the leaders to pit for hard compounds tyres, rejoining in P17. Stanek, Browning and Duerksen were all in on the following lap for their pitstops, coming back out behind Martins but ahead of Verschoor.
Fornaroli and Marti pitted at the start of Lap 16 for their mandatory stops, and left as they entered, rejoining the track between seventh placed Martins and Browning in P10.
Browning was the lead driver on Softs and moved himself up to fourth at Turn 4 with a pass on Martin on Lap 18. The Hitech driver’s charge continued, and he was onto the back of Fornaroli on lap 21. He used DRS to take third down the main straight to maintain his progress up the order.
Martins wasn’t able to repel his fellow Williams Racing Driver Development talent as on Lap 23, the Brit took second from the ART driver wit DRS into Turn 1.
Browning’s progress stalled out however, as the leader extended his advantage in the following phase of the race to over six seconds.
Fornaroli’s hopes of a podium weren’t over, as he was able to close in on Martins in third, He was told his pace through the last corner was a strength and he used it to good effect to get a run on Martins to take the place with five laps to go.
One lap later and Marti was through on the Frenchman and into fourth with a 1.4s deficit to Fornaroli ahead. He cut into DRS range entering the final lap and with DRS into Turn 4, Marti had the momentum but some stout defence by Fornaroli kept the Italian ahead.
Neither could catch Dunner though, who earned his maiden F2 win by over eight seconds from Browning!
The full top 10 are- P1: Dunne, P2: Browning, P3: Fornaroli, P4: Marti, P5: Martins, P6: Verschoor, P7: Beganovic, P8: Lindblad, P9: Mini and P10: Duerksen.
Oliver Goethe got the Sakhir race weekend off to a great start for MP Motorsport, leading teammate Richard Vershoor in Free Practice around the Bahrain International Circuit.
The Red Bull Junior driver saved his best effort for the final minutes, a 1:47.789 leaving him fastest going into Qualifying. Campos Racing’s Josep Maria Marti rounded out the top three.
Joshua Duerksen got the ball rolling in the session, recording a 1:48.954 as the early benchmark time for AIX Racing. DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford went second in the opening 10 minutes, just 0.022s down on the Paraguayan.
Marti moved to P1 as the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes. He set a 1:48.379 for Campos, 0.008s quicker than Victor Martins who moved up to P2 in his Williams liveried – ART Grand Prix car.
Much of the remaining laps were dedicated to race running, though Goethe surged to the top in the final two minutes with a 1:47.789 for MP.
Qualifying-
It was a direct fight between Leonardo Fornaroli and Victor Martins for top spot, with the former earning his first Formula 2 pole position in the end.
The Invicta Racing driver secured P1 with a 1:44.008 to pip the Frenchman by over a tenth, while Hitech TGR’s Luke Browning earned third position at the chequered flag.
After several build laps, ART’s Martins set the early pace and benchmark to beat, going to the top with a 1:45.110.
Rodin Motorsport driver, Alexander Duune was just 0.002s down on that effort to go second but they were both blown out of the water by Fornaroli, who laid down a 1:44.642 for the top.
Half of the field opted to wait and as the first 11 returned to the pitlane, the others joined the circuit for their first attempts. Josep Maria Marti was the quickest of the second group, going up to P2 for Campos Racing and 0.223s down on the provisional pole sitter.
With eight minutes remaining, everyone rejoined the circuit for their final attempts. Martins improved to re-take the top spot with a 1:44.163 and he was comfortably clear, but Fornaroli denied him once more, going back to P1 to earn his maiden F2 pole position.
The full top 10 are- Pole: Fornaroli, P2: Martins, P3: Browing, P4: Dunne, P5: Stanek, P6: Verschoor, P7: Meguetounif, P8: Villagomez, P9: Beganovic and P10: Duerksen.
Amaury Cordeel will join Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 campaign, replacing Christian Mansell who took to social media to say he is stepping away from racing for a little while due to personal reasons.
Cordeel returns for his fourth season in F2, and achieved his strongest campaign to date in 2024 with multiple points finishes and his highest points total.
Prior to stepping up to F2, Cordeel earned the 2018 Spanish F4 title. The 22 year old said that he was very happy to be back in F2.
I’m delighted to be back competing in the FIA Formula 2 World Championship with Rodin Motorsport. I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to maximise our potential and achieve some strong results together. Cordeel on the news.
We’re very pleased to welcome Amaury into the team for the 2025 season. We have a lot to learn about each other quickly, having missed pre-season testing, but we’re looking forward to taking advantage of his experience and knowledge of the current F2 car and all that he has learned from his time in the series so far. He is a great addition to the team, and we look forward to working with him this season. Benn Huntingford, Rodin Motorsport Sporting Director.
Victor Martins will return to the FIA Formula 2 grid with ART Grand Prix for the 2025 campaign, filling the final spot on the F2 grid this year.
The French driver will be taking part in his third season in the Championship after securing one win, finishing as the top rookie in 2023 in fifth position, and helping the team claim the Teams’ Championship. His second season then resulted in another victory en route to seventh in the Standings.
He will now partner new teammate Ritomo Miyata. Speaking about his confirmation with ART, Martins said that he was happy to be back with the team he secured the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup and 2022 FIA Formula 3 titles with.
I’m very excited to continue the adventure with ART Grand Prix in 2025. We share a common goal: doing everything we can to win the title. I’m surrounded by the best people to achieve my ultimate dream—Formula 1. This winter, we worked extensively on all the areas we needed to improve from 2024, and now we’re ready to turn those efforts into results on track. The season is starting, and it’s time to focus on testing in Barcelona. Martins on the news.
Continuing with Victor in 2025 was an obvious choice. We have a long history together, marked by successes and challenges overcome as a team. He has proven he has the speed and talent to compete at the front in Formula 2. This season needs to be the one where everything comes together, and we will do everything we can to help him achieve his goals. Sebastien Philippe, Team Principal.
Jordan's Track Talk 