Dino Beganovic secured top spot in Free Practice for DAMS Lucas Oil. The Swede put in a 1:30.720 to wind up fastest, just 0.015s ahead of MP Motorsport’s Gabriele Mini. Nico Varrone completed a tight top three, 0.021s off P1 for Van Amersfoort Racing.
Hitech’s Colton Herta set the early pace on a 1:33.077 in the opening 10 minutes of the session.
Teammate Ritomo Miyata then took over P1, with a 1:32.053 the new time to beat. Rafael Camara delivered a 1:31.484 to then go to the top for Invicta Racing by over half a second.
Sebastian Montoya and then Herta cut that down to four-tenths on their next laps, before Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak went P2 for ART Grand Prix, 0.219s off top spot with less than half an hour to go.
Martinius Stenshorne got closer still, moving himself up into P2, 0.102s off Camara’s time. That was before the Brazilian delivered an improvement of his own to move onto a 1:31.144.
Montoya and Mini then followed across the line to go second and third respectively.
Rafael Villagomez went to fourth place for Van Amersfoort before the Red Flag was out after Mari Boya found the barriers at Turn 1 following a big lock-up.
Mini dethroned Camara at the top of the times as he set a 1:30.744 to go four-tenths clear of anyone. Nikola Tsolov went P2 0.388s off the Italian’s effort.
Top spot changed hands again as the clock approached 10 minutes to go, with Beganovic going fastest. Tsolov then went quicker but lost his time for exceeding track limits.
That left the Swede top of the pile on a 1:30.720, with Nico Varrone right behind in P2, 0.021s off. Mini then managed to split the two on his next attempt, going second and just 0.015s behind Beganovic.
Qualifying
Kush Maini took his second pole of the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season , setting a 1:28.896 for the Aramco Pole Position Award in Budapest.
The ART Grand Prix driver beat title contender Rafael Camara by over a tenth of a second, with the Invicta Racing driver narrowly ahead of Campos Racing’s Noel Leon in P3.
With the green light displayed, everyone headed out for their opening attempts, and it was a heart-in-mouth moment for Joshua Duerksen as he reached the penultimate corner. The Invicta driver had to catch a big slide on entry to keep his car out of the barriers.
Nikola Tsolov set the pace with his first lap on a 1:29.601 to take top spot provisionally, 0.193s quicker than title rival Gabriele Mini who went to P2.
Leon opted to run later than the majority and he delivered a 1:29.486 to go quickest just ahead of the halfway stage.
Camara had done his outlap on Mediums before pitting and putting on the softs, so his first lap came slightly later too. The Brazilian went P1 on a 1:29.380.
Maini was one of those to set a lap slightly offset to the early runners too, and he filtered into third, 0.215s off top spot.
Camara went again on the same set of Softs and he improved his time to take the benchmark effort down to a 1:29.323. With less than 10 minutes to go, the early group headed back onto the circuit once more, and Tsolov set a 1:29.313 to pip his title rival to top spot.
Mini went to third place until Duerksen went to P1 on a 1:29.106, but Maini improved. He was the first underneath a 1:29s to lead the field. Teammate Inthraphuvasak made his own improvement to go third quickest entering the final five minutes.
As those drivers filed back into pitlane, Camara headed back onto track with three minutes to go.
Laurens van Hoepen went up to fourth ahead of Tsolov with the Bulgarian back in the pits, while Alexander Dunne could only manage P15 on his final lap.
With the clock at zero, the final laps filtered through. Leon went to second place until Camara displaced the Mexican driver for a front row start, but nobody could beat Maini.
MP Motorsport’s Oliver Goethe was fastest in the Spielberg Free Practice, completing a 1:16.978 to lead the way by 0.07s to Nikola Tsolov, with Alexander Dunne a further tenth behind in third.
After the early installation laps, the fast time began as Gabriele Mini set the pace on a 1:17.384 – 0.080s ahead of Kush Maini in second.
On the next set of push laps, it was Mini’s MP teammate Goethe that led the way. The German’s 1:16.978 put him on top by 0.250s to Tsolov.
Tsolov improved on his next lap but remained in second. However, the Campos Racing driver had closed to within 0.070s of P1.
Rafael Camara then set the fastest first sector but he, like the rest of his rivals was forced to abandon his lap and return to the pitlane with the Red Flags being waved.
Cian Shields had run wide through the gravel at the exit of Turn 6 before spinning into a stoppage, with the marshals needing to clear his AIX Racing car from the track.
The green light was on with less than 25 minutes to go, but the teams waited a little longer before sending their cars out.
The drivers started to return to the track with just under 20 minutes to go although there were no instant improvements.
Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak jumped up from P11 to sixth but was demoted to seventh once Noel Leon moved up to P4 later on.
Long run pace was the focus for several meaning there was no changes to the timesheets, with Goethe leading the way ahead of Tsolov and Dunne.
Qualifying-
Campos Racing’s Noel Leon took his first ever Aramco Pole Position Award in the afternoon’s Spielberg Qualifying, beating Alexander Dunne and teammate Nikola Tsolov to P1.
The Mexican rookie used an empty track to his advantage to complete a 1:15.544, beating Dunne by over a tenth to take pole.
It was a great start for Campos with Leon leading Tsolov by just 0.015s in an early 1-2 for the team thanks to a 1:16.283.
The drivers were able to push on for second laps on their Supersoft tyres and Leon improved to put 0.179s between him and Tsolov. But he was soon demoted to P2 by Rafael Camara, who went P1 with a 1:16.062.
The Invicta Racing driver led a small group of cars at the top of the timesheets than returned to the pitlane after their second lap, with a few drivers down the order choosing to do one more.
While the rest of his rivals waited in the pitlane, Leon returned to the track on a new set of Supersofts to complete a 1:15.544 – 0.508s quicker than Camara.
The Campos driver returned to the pitlane after that lap, while the other 21 cars came out on track, watching on as his rivals set personal best sector times. But nobody could match Leon, with Dunne going the closest, 0.129s behind in P2.
They pushed on for second laps but Leon’s time went unbeaten giving him his maiden FIA Formula 2 pole position.
Laurens van Hoepen ended Free Practice on top for Trident, logging a 1:26.776 to narrowly beat DAMS Lucas Oil’s Roman Bilinski. Rodin Motorsport driver Alexander Dunne wound up just under a tenth of a second shy in third place.
With plenty of data already accumulated around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, it was a subdued start to the session before Nikola Tsolov set the first time to beat on a 1:27.136.
Several drivers including Alexander Dunne, Sebastian Montoya, Kush Maini, Martinius Stenshorne and Nico Varrone got within a tenth of the Bulgarian’s time, but the benchmark fell once again.
Van Hoepen bettered the Campos driver’s time and put in a 1:26.776 to lead as the first driver under the 1:27s.
Dunne improved on his next lap to get within 0.070s of the top time, but Bilinski edged ahead of the Irishman to go second quickest, 0.051s down on van Hoepen.
The Red Flags were waving with 12 minutes to go after a spin for Noel Leon left the Mexican driver beached in the gravel.
Once the Campos was cleared away the session resumed with three minutes remaining but there were no further improvements.
It meant that after van Hoepen, Bilinksi and Dunne in the top three, Rafael Villagomez finish fourth with Stenshorne fifth.
Qualifying-
Rafael Camara made it two Aramco Pole Positions in a row with top spot in Barcelona, leading an Invicta Racing 1-2 in Qualifying. The Brazilian set a 1:24.810 to lead the pack, with Duerksen second and Alexander Dunne third for Rodin Motorsport.
Dunner went to the top with the early time to beat and a 1:25.528. That was beaten three times over, with Colton Herta taking spot on a 1:25.387 after his FP1 exploits with Cadillac.
Laps by Duerksen and Hitech teammate Ritomo Miyata left the top three separated by 0.056s in the opening eight minutes.
Half the field opted to wait before setting their first attempts, and Nikola Tsolov took top spot next on a 1:25.222. Kush Maini went within 0.042s of the Bulgarian’s time but Rafael Camara crossed the line and delivered a 1:24.810 to go fourth tenths clear of anybody at the halfway stage.
The final set of laps started with only five minutes left and there were plenty of personal bests coming through. Rafael Villagomez rocketed up to P2 for Van Amersfoort Racing, and Gabriele Mini followed moments later to displace the Mexican driver in the order.
Dunne whose earlier time was deleted for exceeding track limits, was able to go second fastest and just over two-tenths off Camara, until Duerksen put Invicta 1-2 moment later.
The Red Flag then brought the session to a halt with Miyata spinning off through the gravel and into the barriers on exit of the final corner. The Japanese driver was out of the car and OK, and once his car was cleared, qualifying resumed with 3:41 on the clock.
Several drivers were in need of an improvement, but nobody could challenge Camara’s time and he claimed his second consecutive pole position ahead of his teammate Duerksen.
Alexander Dunne started the Montreal weekend on the front foot, topping the times with a 1:22.524. He led Rodin Motorsport teammate Martinius Stenshorne by a slender 0.012s, while Campos Racing’s Nikola Tsolov completed the top three just over a tenth behind the Alpine Academy driver.
With preparation laps complete, Joshua Duerksen set the opening time of the session on a 1:25.319 for Invicta Racing.
Trident’s Laurens van Hoepen then lowered the fastest lap to a 1:24.100, while Duerksen filtered through on his next attempt just 0.066s behind in P2.
Stenshorne then broke into the 23s as the Rodin driver logged a 1:23.888 to take P1 from van Hoepen with just over half an hour to go.
The track continued to rubber in quickly as the Paraguayan driver took top spot back on his next lap on a 1:23.519, while the other Rodin of Dunne jumped up to second, 0.296s down.
That was until Tsolov put Campos Racing top of the pile with a 1:23.124, before van Hoepen edged ahead by just 0.019s.
Nico Varrone put Van Amersfoort Racing into the top five just and was followed across the line by Tsolov, who moved the goalposts once more. A 1:22.625 was enough to retake P1 and leave him a tenth clear of Dunne before the Irishman followed up with his own improvement to go fastest of all on a 1:22.524.
Into the final 10 minutes and Colton Herta moved Hitech up to fourth, leaping up the order with the track continuing to improve.
Varrone went within 0.177s of Dunne’s earlier time to move VAR into third place briefly, before Stenshrone restored the Rodin 1-3 on his next lap. Rafael Villagomez brought out the yellow flags briefly with a spin at the final corner.
Qualifying-
Laurens van Hoepen earned his maiden Aramco Pole Position Award, taking the top spot with his final lap and a 1:21.442 for Trident.
Rafael Camara rebounded from mid-session contact with the wall to take P2 ahead of Alexander Dunne in third.
Ritomo Miyata was first across the line to set a competitive lap, but his initial effort was quickly beaten as Joshua Duerksen recorded a 1:22.914 to go fastest.
Gabriele Mini took over P1 on his first attempt with a 1:22.615 to go 0.2s clear, with Kush Maini also going quicker than Duerksen. Rafael Camara then closed that deficit down to just 0.005s as he filtered through to go P2.
After opting for an extra preparation lap, Nikola Tsolov went to the top of the timing screens but Nico Varrone then bettered that effort, a 1:22.078 the new benchmark time by the Van Amersfoort Racing driver.
Camara delivered a purple first sector and two personal bests to then take P1, 1:22.025 leaving him 0.053s ahead of the Argentinian driver.
Van Hoepen made an improvement of his own to go third fastest for Trident as the session approached the halfway stage.
Drivers then returned to the pitlane for fresh Supersoft tyres and headed back out onto circuit for the final 12 minutes of running.
As the next set of laps were set to begin, Oliver Goethe tapped the outside wall at Turn 4, causing session-ending suspension damage and bringing out the Red Flag.
The session resumed and drivers returned to the track with eight minutes to go for their final attempts, but a second red flag followed with Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak hitting the wall at Turn 4.
Back underway, Noel Leon recorded the new fastest time only for teammate Tsolov to take P1 back on a 1:21.789. Stenshorne set a lap good enough to usurp the Bulgarian and a 1:21.744 put the Norwegian top of the pile with just over a minute to go.
Teammate Dunne then made a final improvement to record a 1:21.709 and take provisional pole position. Championship leader Tsolov improved on his last attempt but couldn’t better Dunne, but Camara and van Hoepen did, with the latter taking his maiden F2 pole position,
Practice- Colton Herta got his home weekend in Miami off to the perfect start, topping Free Practice for Hitech on a 1:40.320.
Kush Maini followed in second for ART Grand Prix ahead of TRIDENT’s Laurens van Hoepen.
Installation laps were interrupted early on after a spin for Noel Leon at Turn 7 brought out the Virtual Safety Car, with his Campos Racing car needing to be recovered.
The return to green flag conditions didn’t last long as teammate and Championship leader Nikola Tsolov also stopped on track, bringing out the Red Flags.
Running resumed with 25 minutes to go and everyone was eager to get out on track to maximise the remaining time.
Van Hoepen had led the way initially but Alexander Dunne delivered a 1:40.999 to go fastest for Rodin Motorsport with more laps on the board.
Gabriele Mini usurped his Alpine Academy stablemate, going quickest briefly before a flurry of further improvements put van Hoepen back on top with a 1:40.480.
Maini then put ART P1 on the leaderboard with a 1:40.336, 0.144s ahead of the TRIDENT driver in second with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Herta then moved himself into the top three, just a fraction slower than van Hoepen, but then went quickest of all in the final two minutes on a 1:40.320.
Nobody could find a better effort, and a yellow flag late on for van Hoepen, who went off the track at Turn 8 prevented any more changes in the order.
Qualifying-
ART Grand Prix driver Kush Maini came out on top of a tightly fought Miami Qualifying, taking the Aramco Pole Position Award ahead of Rafael Camara and Martinius Stenshorne.
Maini completed a 1:39.888 with his final lap of the day to beat Camara to the top spot by just 0.033s with Rodin Motorsport’s Martinius Stenshorne in P3.
It was Camara that set the pace early with a 1:40.411, the Invicta Racing driver over a tenth ahead of the Rodin’s Alexander Dunne and Stenshorne in P2 and P3 respectively.
Several drivers were able to push on and improve on their second laps with the supersoft tyres, including Rafael Villagomez, who went from eighth to fourth ahead of Maini in fifth.
While the majority of the field pushed on for a third attempt, many chose to return to the pitlane for a new set of tyres ahead of their final laps of the day.
The drivers returned to the track with just over 11 minutes to go, and once the flying laps begun, the fastest time changed several times.
But it was ultimately Maini that was quickest on a 1:39.888 with the top three, including Camara and Stenshorne covered by just 0.050s.
ART opted to bring Maini back into the pitlane as the rest of the field continued looking to improve their times.
But those runs were curtailed by a yellow flag at Turn 16, with Stenshorne having pulled over to with an issue, leaving Maini on pole ahead of Camara.
Dunne wound up in P4 for Rodin behind Stenshorne, with Gabriele Mini in fifth for MP Motorsport.
FIA Formula 2 announce that Miami and Montreal will be hosting Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 calendar, alongside Formula 1 – the first time the Championship will race in North America.
The opportunity for Miami and Montreal to join the F2 calendar has come about following the news that the Sakhi and Jeddah rounds will not take place in April.
The FIA Formula 2 Championship will go to Miami, USA on May 1st – 3rd for what will be the second round of the 2026 season, followed by Montreal, Canada on May 22nd – 24th, as Round 3, before returning to Europe, starting with Monte-Carlo, Monaco on June 4th – 7th.
While it has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, and we look forward to being back with our passionate fans there as soon as possible, it is great news for our fans, the drivers and the teams that Formula 2 will be racing in Miami and Montreal. Bruno and the whole F2 family have done a great job, working closely with us, the FIA, and the Miami and Montreal promoters, to ensure we limit the gap in racing for the championship this season and I want to thank them for making this possible. It is going to be fantastic to restart the racing in a few weeks’ time and to have F2 alongside Formula 1 as we return to the US for the first time this season. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
Following the necessary changes to the calendar at the start of the season, the addition of these new rounds ensures the FIA Formula 2 Championship remains strong and balanced, and able to deliver for our teams, drivers and fans. Bringing the championship to North America via Miami and Montreal for the first time marks an important step in its continued global growth, strengthening the pathway alongside Formula One and connecting with new audiences. I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these rounds possible. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the ongoing events in the Middle East and we continue to hope for a swift return to stability. We look forward to racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia very soon Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President.
We always love to race in Sakhir and Jeddah, and we wish them well and look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. We are now going to Miami and Montreal for the second and third rounds of the 2026 season, respectively. I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 for their support in making this possible, and also the FIA, the promoters of the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix, and of course my team, who have worked hard to put in place two new Rounds in such a short amount of time. It was not an easy thing to do, but bringing F2 to North America for the first time is really fantastic. It’s something we have been wanting to do for a long time, and it enables us to ensure we’re back racing as quickly as possible. It will be a great new challenge for our teams and our drivers, who have all welcomed the news with enthusiasm. I am certain that the quality of racing will bring a lot of excitement to the fans and to everyone attending both Grands Prix. Bruno Michel, FIA Formula 2 CEO.
BREAKING: Miami and Montreal will host Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 F2 season
Racing alongside F1, Formula 2 will head to Miami, USA, on May 1–3, followed by Montreal, Canada, on May 22–24, marking the first time the championship will race in North America
Gabriele Mini started off his Melbourne weekend on the front foot, ending the Practice session quickest of all. The MP Motorsport driver set a 1:29.137 to take top spot ahead of Noel Leon and Rafael Camara in second and third places for Campos Racing and Invicta Racing respectivly.
Sebastian Montoya led the way in the early stages for PREMA Racing on a 1:33.093, but that time was then bettered by Joshua Duerksen. The Invicta driver delivered a 1:31.939 to lead the field with 10 minutes gone.
Dino Beganovic was able to post an improvement soon after, going top on a 1:31.505 despite catching traffic in the final sector.
Duerksen responded on his subsequent attempt to restore his advantage at the top and became the first driver to dip into the 1:30s.
MP’s Mini secured the top spot before Nikola Tsolov then set the quickest effort for Campos. The Bulgarian’s 1:30.178 came just before the Red Flags were waving after a spin into the wall for Colton Herta on the exit of Turn 10.
Once the Hitech was recovered, the session resumed with 20 minutes left of practice. Mini returned to the top of the times on his following lap, going narrowly ahead by just 0.017s before Leon usurped him by 0.018s.
Tsolov then went to the top on a 1:29.668 though Mini had been ahead before he lost his lap for exceeding track limits at Turn 6.
Into the final 10 minutes and Leon pipped his teammate by a tenth to go quickest until Mini secured top spot once again, this time on a 1:29.137. A second red flag was thrown after a spin into the gravel for Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak at Turn 12.
With the ART Grand Prix car cleared away, running resumed with three minutes to go, enough time for the majority to get back around for one final flying lap. Though there were several improvements, nobody could take P1 away from Mini.
Qualifying-
Dino Beganovic left it to the final lap to secure the first Aramco Pole Position Award of 2026, setting a 1:28.695 for the top spot.
The DAMS Lucas Oil driver delivered an improvement in his final attempt to beat Rodin Motorsport’s Martinius Stenshorne and Alexander Dunne to pole, the pairing finishing second and third respectively.
Beganovic laid down the initial benchmark and a 1:29.953, 0.094s quicker than Joshua Duerksen in P2 and his Invicta Racing teammate Rafael Camara in third.
Stenshorne took over in provisional pole until Nikola Tsolov delivered an improvement of his own to go P1 with a 1:29.381.
The Red Flags were out following a snap for Mari Boya at Turn 12 that left the PREMA Racing driver in the barrier. He was out of the car and OK, and the session resumed soon after.
Qualifying resumed with 20 minutes left but after filtering back out onto the track, drivers returned to the pitlane for a fresh set of Pirelli tyres without posting improvements.
Drivers rejoined the circuit once more with 12 minutes to go, but before any times could be posted, Gabriele Mini pulled to the side of the track with an issue on his car, bringing out the Red Flags once again.
Due to the delays, the session ran to time, leaving just three minutes on the clock as qualifying resumed, enough time for just one final lap.
Provisional pole changed hands three times over in the final seconds but it was Beganovic that found the improvement to take top spot for DAMS on a 1:28.695.
He pipped the Rodin Motorsport teammates Stenshorne and Dunne, who both in turn had taken the top spot prior to the Swedes’ final attempt.
Noel Leon secured forth ahead of Tsolov, who fell to fifth by the chequered flag. Camara was sixth ahead of Kush Maini, Oliver Goethe, Duerksen and Inthraphuvasak in P10.
Van Amersfoort Racing have announced the signing of Rafael Villagomez for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season – completing the grid for the upcoming campaign.
Villagomez is set to return for a third season in F2 this year, fresh from a strong showing in 2025 where he achieved two podiums and finished 14th in the Drivers’ Championship.
This means Villagomez and VAR are set to continue their affiliation for the fifth consecutive season, with the Mexican driver having first raced for them in 2021.
I’m extremely excited and grateful to be staying another year in F2 with VAR. Together with the team, we finished the season strongly which gives me great confidence heading into the new year. I can’t wait to get back on track, and work with the team to achieve even stronger results in the upcoming season. Villagomez on the news.
We’re very happy to continue with Rafael for 2026. Over the past seasons, he’s shown strong commitment and a clear step forward in performance. The podiums in Barcelona and Qatar were defining moments, but more importantly, they reflect the progress we’ve made together. We’re looking forward to building on that momentum and fighting for the top steps of the podium together. Van Amersfoort Racing Team Principal, Brad Joyce.
BREAKING: Rafael Villagómez returns with @VARmotorsport!
The final piece of the 2026 F2 puzzle clicks into place 🧩
ART Grand Prix have confirmed the signing of Kush Maini for the 2026 Formula 2 season.
Maini is set to return for a fourth campaign in F2, having won two races and achieved seven podiums during his time in the Championship.
Prior to his time in F2, Maini finished 14th in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 season, with one podium and was also the runner-up in the 2020 BRDC British F3 Championship.
The Indian driver is now set to continue in F2 for another season, and he is eager to get started with ART.
I’m very happy to be joining such an historic team like ART Grand Prix. My first contacts with the engineers and mechanics have been very positive. I appreciate the determination and the human atmosphere within the team, and I can’t wait to start working with them and see what we can achieve together. Maini on the news.
Kush has shown real speed and maturity in Formula 2, and his win in Monaco is a clear example of his potential. We are happy to welcome him to ART Grand Prix and look forward to working together in 2026. Sebastien Philippe, ART Grand Prix Team Principal.
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.
Jordan's Track Talk 