The FIA World Motor Sport Council has confirmed that a request to grant F2 driver and Red Bull Junior Arvid Lindblad a Super Licence prior to his 18th birthday has been granted.
It was previously stated in the rules that, for a driver to obtain either a Friday practice Super Licence or a Super Licence to compete in a Grand Prix, they had to be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence.
However, adjustments were made to the FIA International Sporting Code last year, removing the clause that necessitated a valid driving licence as well as adding the line: At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a Super Licence at the age of 17 years old.
The tweak to the rules allowed for Kimi Antonelli – who did not pass his driving test until January of this year – to get his Super Licence last year and compete in FP1 sessions for Mercedes prior to making his full-time debut this season.
Now 17 year old Lindblad has become the latest youngster to be granted a Super Licence, meaning that he would be eligible to compete in an F1 race weekend.
The FIA has received a request to grant a Super Licence to Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday. After considering the information presented in support of this request, the World Council found that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition and therefore approved the request. The FIA on the decision.
Lindblad is currently competing in his debut Formula 2 campaign for Campos Racing and sits third in the Drivers’ Championship, having achieved two race victories and one pole position so far.
Prior to this, the British driver finished fourth during his sole F3 season in 2024 after climbing the ranks in junior categories, a rise that saw him win the Macau F4 World Cup race at the end of 2023.
Campos Racing have finalised their driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 3 campaign having confirmed that Nikola Tsolov is set to race for the Spanish team next season.
Tsolov returns for a third year in Formula 3 and after a campaign in which he achieved three victories and finished 11th in the Drivers’ Championship with ART Grand Prix.
But he reunites now with Campos, where he has enjoyed previous success having won the Spanish F4 Championship with the team back in 2022.
Tsolov was part of Alpine’s junior programme for two seasons. The Bulgarian announced the news on his socials. And since he has made a deal with Red Bull, becoming one of their junior drivers and joins the likes of Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar.
I couldn’t be happier and more thankful for joining Campos Racing again in FIA F3 for next year. Great opportunity for me as I have a successful past with the team winning in F4 Spain so it feels like going back home again. We target to continue our dominant history together! Tsolov on the news.
It is a pleasure to reunite with Nikola, a driver we have excellent memories of. He took his first steps in single-seaters with Campos Racing, winning the title in his first experience with us, and did so in an overwhelming manner. In the post-season tests we have conducted, we performed at a very high level in Jerez and Barcelona. I am confident that we are on the verge of a great year together. Team Principal, Adrian Campos Jr.
New Zealander Liam Lawson will be replacing Daniel Ricciardo at RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the remainder of the season.
Red Bull and RB confirmed Ricciardo would be leaving the team and expressed their gratitude for his efforts across two stints with the Red Bull family.
Ricciardo returned to a Formula 1 race seat last year in Hungary with AlphaTauri and stayed on when they became RB for this season. Ricciardo scored points on five occasions, including a superb fourth in the Sprint in Miami, and sits 14th in the drivers’ standings, 10 points behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
However, his form hasn’t been enough to convince the Red Bull family to keep him on. It remains unclear what the future holds for Ricciardo but it’s very unlikely to involve a race seat on the 2025 Formula 1 grid.
RB then announced Lawson would step up from his reserve role, which he’s held since 2022 starting with the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Lawson first made his Grand Prix debut at Zandvoort last year as a super sub for injured Ricciardo. The 22 year old delivered an impressive set of results across a five race period, including his first points with ninth at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us. He has brought a lot of experience and talent to the Team with a fantastic attitude, which has helped everyone to develop and foster a tight team spirit. Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed, but will always hold a special place within the Red Bull family. I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the Team well. He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition. It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step. We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together. Laurent Mekies on the news.
Campos Racing have confirmed their first driver for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season, with Arvid Lindblad making the step up from Formula 3.
The Brit finished his rookie F3 campaign fourth for PREMA Racing, where he took four race victories including a clean sweep at Silverstone to become the first driver in Championship history to achieve this feat.
Prior to Formula 3, the Red Bull Junior competed in Italian F4 finishing third overall in his first full campaign, taking six wins, four poles and 10 podiums.
Lindblad said he was eager to get started with his new team ahead of the promotion to F2.
Super excited to be joining Campos Racing in FIA F2 for 2025. The team has had an amazing season so far and can’t wait to start working together. I look forward to joining the long list of drivers that have raced for the team in the past and be a part of its heritage and the legacy of Mr. Adrián Campos. The team seems very passionate, hungry and motivated to win. They’ll give me the tools and knowledge to continue to develop as a driver as we push each other to improve. I want to say thank you to everyone at Red Bull, the Junior Team and Campos Racing for the opportunity. I can’t wait to get started! Lindblad on the news.
We are happy to have a driver like Arvid in our ranks for 2025, as he has immense talent, and we are sure that together we have very important goals ahead. We have the winter months to work ensuring he is as prepared as possible for his debut next season. We will bring all our experience to make his transition as smooth and successful as possible. Adrian Campos Jr, Team Principal.
Oliver Goethe will step up to FIA Formula 2 with MP Motorsport this weekend, taking part in Round 11 of the 2024 season at Monza.
The Red Bull Junior Team member will replace the Formula 1-bound Franco Colapinto following the announcement that the Argentine will be racing for Williams for the rest of the season.
Goethe graduates following two seasons in Formula 3, racing for Trident in 2023 and Campos Racing in 2024. The German also took part in two rounds for Campos at Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps in 2022.
Goethe finished eighth in his rookie campaign and graduates from the Championship while sat seventh in the current Standings having been a contender for the Drivers’ title. During that he won two races and achieved a further two podium finishes.
He will now make the move up to Formula 2 with MP, starting at Monza this weekend.
Although I haven’t got any experience in this F2 car, the two seasons I spent in FIA F3 gave me a great foundation for this step. My goals for this weekend are to soak up all the information MP Motorsport provides me with and learn as much as I can. It won’t be easy even on a track I know well because all my competitors have so much more experience than me and I got the call so late that I didn’t have a chance to do simulator prep for F2. But in some way, this is similar to my FIA F3 debut in 2022, where I joined the series mid-season and scored points on my first attempt and finished P4 in the Feature Race in Spa. Overall, I’m happy with my consistency this year and my win and podiums. I am a bit sad that I can’t finish my F3 season as planned, I would have loved to go out with a bang with my Campos Racing team. I wish good luck to them and to the drivers still in the fight for the title. I will be following the races for sure. Goethe on moving up.
It was a great start for Lindblad, as the PREMA driver won out in a three way battle with pole-sitter Leon ans Zagazeta heading into Turn 1 to take the lead.
Zagazeta initially got ahead of Leon, but the Van Amersfoort Racing driver fought back through at Maggotts and Becketts to move up to P2. The Jenzer Motorsport rookie them came under attack from Christian Mansell heading into Stowe but managed to stay ahead.
Mansell though then lost a position on lap 3 as Rodin Motorsport’s Callum Voisin was showing strong pace to move past the ART Grand Prix driver for fourth at the entry to Luffield.
The Virtual Safety Car was needed moments later after Santiago Ramos suffered a puncture following a slight collision with Tommy Smith, with a piece of his tyre needing to be cleared from the racing line near Copse.
The action resumed on lap 5, but the safety car was almost immediately deployed after Max Esterson and Oliver Goethe collided on the entry to Copse, sending both through the gravel and into the barrier. Both drivers walked away from the incident, and they were back underway at the end of lap 7, however there was another collision as Tim Tramnitz and Luke Browning made contact going through the loop.
Alex Dunne was on the move and got ahead of Charlie Wurz for P6 going down the inside at Stowe, before making his way past Mansell for fifth on lap 11. Onto the next lap, and Dunne had dropped back behind Mansell and Wurz to seventh and was looking to retake the position from the Jenzer rookie, but the collided on the Wellington Straight.
Racing resumed on lap 14 with Lindblad two and a half seconds clear of Leon in the lead. Having resisted an earlier attack from Voision, Zagazeta was now outside DRS range of the British driver.
Just behind in the battle for fifth, a DRS train had formed behind Mansell which included his ART teammate Nikola Tsolov, Gabriele Mini, Sami Meguetounif and Sebastian Montoya. Montoya though, having started P17, was on a mission and dived down the inside of Meguetounif for P8 at Turn 3.
Onto the final lap, and Lindblad was now well over six seconds clear out in front as he crossed the line to win on home soil. Leon finished in second while Zagazeta achieved his first Formula 3 podium by finishing third.
The full top 10 are- P1: Lindblad, P2: Leon, P3: Zagazeta, P4: Voisin, P5: Tsolov, P6: Mini, P7: Montoya, P8: Meguetounif, P9: Van Hoepen and P10: Fornaroli.
Day 3-
It was a dramatic start to the day as light rain prior to the race getting underway promoted 28 of the 30 drivers to switch to the wet tyres, with Rodin Motorsport’s Voisin and Piotr Wisnicki the only ones to stick to slicks.
But as the cars rounded the track on the formation lap, the rain stopped causing several drivers to pit for Hards prior to lights out.
Pole-sitter, Luke Browning made a strong start from pole on his wets, while Leonardo Fornaroli was on the charge as he made his way past Trident teammate Sami Meguetounif before going round the outside of Max Esterson at Maggots and Becketts for second.
But a Safety Car was required as Cian Shields stopped by the side of the track at Turn 3, just as his HItech teammate Browning was told that more rain was expected.
We were back racing on lap 3, as Voisin put his slick tyres to use, going round the outside of Esterson at Turn 3 before getting past Fornaroli down the Wellington Straight. He then took over the lead of the race from Browning on the run down to Copse corner.
Voisin, who had a five second lead at one stage, was then handed a 10 second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in his overtake on Esterson.
But we were back racing on lap 8 and this time around it was the wet tyre runners making the moves with Browning and Fornaroli getting past Voisin in the first sector. Tramnitz was a major winner in this situation as having pitted for the wets he came from the back to P7 ahead of Hitech debutant James Wharton.
Another Safety Car was required on lap 9 though after Joshua Dufek spun at the exit of Stowe, causing Alexander Dunne and Sebastian Montoya to crash into the barriers as they looked to avoid the AIX Racing car.
We had now entered the final 15 minutes of the race and with the pack now bunched up together, PREMA came on the radio to tell Mini, now in P23, that the rain was stopping soon.
As racing resumed, Browning extended his lead over Fornaroli to over one second, while Leon went round the outside of Esterson at Stowe to take P3.
With 10 minutes to go, it looked like we had reached the crossover point with slick tyre runners Voisin, Lindblad and Mini slowly beginning to make their moves through the field.
With seven minutes left, those on dry tyres started to make their moves with VAR telling Leon that they were quicker by one second a lap. Voisin was up to fourth, Lindblad was sixth and Mini was eighth.
Entering the final five minutes, Voisin got past Browning down the Hangar Straight to take back the lead he had lost earlier. But with the penalty hanging over his head, Lindblad and Mini, who were fighting for P2 just behind him were effectively battling for the lead.
The three drivers were flying at the front as Voisin crossed the line in P1, but with his penalty, he dropped to third. This promoted Lindblad to first giving him a clean sweep of wins, a Formula 3 first in which a driver has won every race during a single weekend with Mini in second.
The full top 10 are- P1: Lindblad, P2: Mini, P3: Voisin, P4: Smith, P5: Wisnicki, P6: Goethe, P7: Fornaroli, P8: Browning, P9: Bedrin and P10: Leon.
F2 racer Isack Hadjar will turn out for Red Bull in FP1 at the British Grand Prix weekend, taking over Sergio Perez’s RB20.
The Red Bull junior currently sits second in the 2024 F2 standings in what has been an impressive campaign so far for the 19 year old, with feature race victories in Melbourne and Imola particular highlights.
The French driver’s upcoming appearance in first practice at Silverstone is his latest outing with F1 machinery, having made two FP1 appearances in 2023 – one for AlphaTauri in Mexico and one for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi.
He will be joining some of his other F2 colleagues in FP1 with Franco Colapinto turning out for Williams, while Ollie Bearman will also be making another practice appearance for Haas. Alpine reserve driver, Jack Doohan, who race in F2 last year and finished third, will also be getting behind the wheel of Pierre Gasly’s car as he pushes for a seat on the 2025 grid.
With a packed schedule over the British Grand Prix weekend, Hadjar will have to dovetail FP1 duties with Red Bull alongside his F2 duties for Campos Racing but it’s a chance he will surely relish.
Under F1’s current regulations, each team must run a rookie in two FP1 sessions each campaign.
German racer, Tim Tramnitz will jump back into the ABT Cupra’s Gen3 car again this season, in Free Practice in Misano and at the Berlin Rookie Test after the Berlin double-header.
Tramnitz has already tested for the team in 2023, and made a strong impression strong enough for an invite back to take part in the rookie tests.
The 19 year old, first started karting back in 2011 and continued until 2019 getting lots of experience under his belt. In 2020 he moved to single seaters where he raced in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship.
From there he went on to do ADAC F4 again but this time he paired it with Italian F4, he had strong campaigns in both, where he finished runner-up in both series’. The German driver went on to compete in the Formula Regional European Championship, and then moved to Formula 3 this year for his rookie season.
Last year, Tramnitz got announced as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. He is also part of Motorsport Team Germany and has been a member of the ADAC Sports Foundation team for seven years.
I am really looking forward to the ABT team and the Formula E test. The first few hours last year were already a lot of fun – and it’s always cool to sit in a race car. I especially like working with the engineers when we look at and analyze all the data, because it’s much more comprehensive than it is for me in Formula 3. I can learn a lot and take a lot with me.
Tramnitz on the news.
Tim was not only consistently fast at his first test in 2023 and gave our engineers good feedback, but he is also simply a great guy. That was obviously a perfect start – especially because Formula 3 has many new challenges with tyre management, more aerodynamics on the car and DRS.
Thomas Biermaier, Team Principal on Tramnitz and getting off to a dream start in F3 with a podium.
Tim Tramnitz has become MP Motorsport’s first confirmed driver for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 campaign.
The German driver joins the team fresh from competing in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine where he finished the 2023 season third, he achieved three wins and a further seven podiums.
Before that, the 19 year old claimed multiple German karting titles before graduating to single-seaters in 2020. Seasons in ADAC and Italian F4 in 2021 brought runner-up finishes in them both before he switched to FRECA in 2022.
Tramnitz was also announced as a Red Bull Junior Team driver for the forthcoming season, joining the Formula 1 junior team’s ranks for 2024 and was present at all three-post season tests for MP Motorsport at the tail end of 2023.
It’s wonderful to be able to step up to FIA Formula 3 with a team such as MP Motorsport. They have won in every single-seater category that they have competed in, and I’m confident that their experience will contribute to being on the pace in FIA F3 straight out of the blocks. It was a joy to test the car at those three tracks, and I worked well with the team. So now let’s translate that to the races – I can’t wait to get started!
Tramnitz of his signing with MP.
We are truly happy to see Tim become a new member of our FIA Formula 3 driver line-up. He has been a force to be reckoned with all through his time in FRECA, so he is more than ready for his step up to the next level. The tests showed that he’s up there among the more experienced drivers, I’m sure that Tim will do the Red Bull name proud in 2024.
Campos Racing have locked in their three drivers for the 2024 FIA Formula 3 season, confirming that Sebastian Montoya will be racing for the Spanish team.
The Colombian makes the switch from Hitech Pulse-Eight, after earning one podium in Melbourne and finished 16th in the Standings. He returns to the team he made his F3 debut with, having made a two-race appearance with Campos in Zandvoort in 2022, where he earned back to back P8 finishes.
Graduating from karting to Italian Formula 4 in 2020, Montoya went on to finish 11th in the Standings,a s well as competing in six ADAC F4 races. Repeating the same programme the following year, he secured two pole positions and nine podiums to improve to fourth.
At the start of 2022, the Red Bull Athlete won twice in the Formula Regional Asian Championship and went on to finish seventh overall. A tough step-up to the Formula Regional European Championship followed, where he concluded the year in 13th.
I am really excited to be joining Campos Racing for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 season. To be honest, we had a nice learning curve immediately in testing after making my comeback to the team. Macau didn’t exactly bring us the result we were expecting. But the potential is there and we just need to maximise our options. We know our car is strong, enough to score points on a regular basis and hopefully we will be able to fight for podiums and wins.
Montoya on the news.
It’s nice to have Sebas in Campos Racing next year. He is a very talented driver, as he already proved scoring points twice on his debut in FIA F3 with Campos Racing, and we will work as hard as possible in order to allow him to reach his full potential. Sebas left us plenty of positives during post-season testing and the very best of his racing career is still to come. Sebas, Oliver and Mari are a young driver line-up but with plenty of experiences and races under their belt in FIA F3. The 2024 season looks exciting ahead for Campos Racing!
Van Amersfoort Racing have announced that race winner Enzo Fittipaldi will be joining the Dutch team for the 2024 Formula 2 season.
Having already gotten behind the wheel for VAR at the Yas Marina post-season test, the Red Bull Junior driver says he’s hugely looking forward to the next chapter in his career as he prepares to put his experience to good use when adapting to the new F2 cars.
After making his racing debut in 2016, Fittipaldi went on to secure the 2018 Italian F4 title in his second campaign, in addition to third in the ADAC F4 Championship. Stepping up to the Formula Regional European Championship the following year, he brought home two wins and 13 podiums on his way to second in the Standings.
Two campaigns in Formula 3 followed in 2020 and 2021, where the Brazilian driver achieved his first podium finish in Budapest Race 2. This helped Fittipaldi earn a mid-season Formula 2 call up in 2021 with Charouz Racing System. Returning for a full campaign the following year, he became one of the standouts of the season, grabbing six podium finishes to claim eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.
This season, he added to that tally, triumphing in the Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps for his maiden victory. Securing a further four podium finishes with Rodin Carlin, Fittipaldi went on to finish seventh in the Drivers’ Standings.
I am very excited to be a part of Van Amersfoort Racing. The team and I had a positive first experience working together during the F2 post-season test in Abu Dhabi last week. Right now, I am looking forward to next season, which will be a new challenge for all. Racing in the new 2024 F2 cars will be exciting, and I am confident that the team and I will have a great season together.
Fittipaldi on the news.
During the F2 post-season test, we have experienced that Enzo is a great character to work with. He is a great fit for our team, and his experience in F2 will be beneficial as we head into a new era of Formula 2. We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the upcoming season together.
Oliver Goethe will be back for a second FIA Formula 3 campaign with Campos Racing. The Red Bull Junior is the first of the Spanish outfit’s three drivers confirmed for the 2024 season.
The 19 year old makes the switch from Trident, with whom he finished eighth in the Drivers’ Championship this year. He earned his maiden victory in the Silverstone Feature Race, alongside a podium finish in the opening Feature Race in Sakhir.
Goethe’s single-seater career kicked off in 2019 when he made a one round appearance in the Spanish F4 Championship. Returning for a full season the next year, he earned one wins and six podiums on his way to fifth in the Standings.
From there, he went on to compete in the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. After racing in the Formula Regional Asian Championship at the start of 2022, Goethe triumphed in the Euroformula Open Championship, achieving 11 wins and a further seven podiums on his way to the title.
That same year, the German-Danish driver made his Formula 3 debut with Campos securing a best result of fourth across his four race appearances. He reunited with the Spanish team during post-season testing this year and went on to go fastest on Day 1 in Jerez and Day 2 in Barcelona, before finishing ninth in the Macau Grand Prix last month.
I am excited to be back with Campos Racing for a full season! They helped to make my entrance to FIA F3 as smooth as possible back in 2022. This year we completed a successful post-season testing programme and the Macau GP together which makes me feel positive about what’s coming next. My goal is to fight for wins and podiums from the start and be consistent. That’s what matters the most in this Championship.
Goethe on the news.
Ollie made his debut in the series with us and he is now further stronger and experienced as already seen in Macau making an amazing recovery drive in such difficult urban circuit. Hopefully we have an exciting, successful campaign ahead together.
Campos Racing have confirmed Isack Hadjar and Josep Maria Marti as their driver line-up for the 2024 Formula 2 campaign.
Hadjar joins Campos for his second F2 campaign after completing his rookie season with Hitech Pulse-Eight. The Red Bull Junior driver secured a maiden podium result in 2023, finishing the Spielberg Sprint Race in third position.
For Marti, 2023 will be his rookie campaign and fourth consecutive season in Campos Racing colours, The Spaniard has raced with the team every year since he began racing in single seaters, most recently achieving three race victories en route to fifth overall in the 2023 F3 Drivers’ Standings.
Marti said that the latest step up in his career was made all the more special as he continued his journey with Campos in F2.
I am really looking forward to start working with the team. I now have a year of experience in the F2 championship and with the potential of the Campos team, we will reach the top!
Hadjar on the news.
It’s a dream come true to jump into a Formula 2, it’s another step in my journey and learning to reach Formula 1 in the future. As well with Campos Racing, the team which I’ve been with through all my single seater career, it’s a very special opportunity to test here at Abu Dhabi and I’m looking forward to learning quickly and enjoying every lap! Thanks to the team, my parents and the Red Bull Junior Team for making it happen, see you on Wednesday!
Marti on the news moving up.
We are proud to have a driver line-up consisting of two Red Bull junior drivers for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 season. Isack and Pepe are two very young pilots but their skills and talent allow them to make rapid progress in every category. It will be a huge pleasure to work together and we will give our maximum to achieve the best possible results. I have no doubts that 2024 promises to be an exciting season for Campos Racing. The next season has already begun for us. Let’s rock!
Jak Crawford has announced that he will leave the Red Bull Junior Team in 2024, but has already secured his racing future with a second season in Formula 2.
The 18 year old became a Red Bull junior in early 2020, and that year he finished second in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship. He was Euroformula race-winner in 2021, took a first FIA Formula 3 Championship win in his second there last year then became a winner on his 13th F2 start in Austria.
He currently sits in 13th in this season’s F2 standings ahead of this weekend’s season finale, and has so far stood on the podium five times and claimed a pole position.
Crawford has been racing for HiTech Pulse-Eight this year, and has not indicated if his 2024 F2 deal is with the British outfit or a different team.
We are thankful for the Red Bull funding for four years, and honestly, we could not have done much of it without their substantial support. We were wanting to make key decisions and we let them know mid-year. After that, they didn’t pick up my fifth and final year, so we are in control now. I truly appreciate everyone at Red Bull, especially Rocky [Guillaume Rocquelin]. I really enjoyed the last two years with him at the factory. Everyone has a different path, but mine has been to be moved up fast and to a different team every year. In two years, I will be only 20 years old, so we are going to slow it down and work a more thoughtful plan. That is all I can say about our plans at this point in time. Again, I am grateful for Red Bull for four years of support.
Crawford in a statement issued by the Sunday Group Management firm.
Dennis Hauger is to part company with the Red Bull Junior Team but will continue racing in Formula 2 in 2024.
The Norwegian’s second season in F2 has not lived up to expectations, leaving him eighth in the points before the final round in Abu Dhabi this month. He won the sprint races in Melbourne and at the Hungaroring but has not finished on the podium in a feature race, despite having joined the MP Motorsport team that took Felipe Drugovich to the 2022 title.
Hauger has had more of an on-and-off relationship with Red Bull compared to most of its junior drivers, benefitting from strong personal sponsorship from Norway while his career has been guided heavily by experienced countryman Harald Huysman.
He joined the Junior Team for his move from karts into British Formula 4 in 2018, but his switch to Italian F4 the following year was instigated by Hauger’s management group rather than Red Bull, which would have rather moved him up a level. He raced in the black and orange of his Van Amersfoort Racing team instead of the blue of the energy drink firm. Having won that title, he was back in full Red Bull colours for his step up to F3 in 2020, but a difficult rookie season with Hitech – he finished 17th in the standings – this led him to be only a Red Bull supported driver than a full junior in 2021, when he again became champion with Prema.
Red Bull has had six junior drivers racing in F2 this year but there has been speculation about how many will remain with the programme next year. It has already announced Pepe Marti and Tim Tramnitz as new additions to its roster ahead of 2024.
Hauger gained the run he needed on the way to Turn 1 to take the inside line and lead away from Kush Maini. Iwasa surged around the outside of the Campos driver at Turn 2 to take second from fifth on the grid, while Bearman was looming large in Maini’s mirrors for third.
Victor Martins also got in on the action, moving up to seventh from P9 on the grid, rounding Isack Hadjar at Turn 12 to end a busy opening lap.
Frederik Vesti tried to pass Hadjar at Turn 1 on lap 2 but was forced to take to the runoff. It allowed Jack Doohan enough momentum to go around the outside of the Championship leader and take ninth from the Dane at Turn 2.
A DRS train formed in the first 10 laps which started from second down to 21st as drivers looked to save tyre life for later in the race.
The formation running ended on lap 12 after a lock up by Clement Novalak into Turn 1 put the Trident driver on a collision course with Ralph Boschung. It left both drivers out of the running and brought out a brief VSC.
With 11 laps to go, Iwasa was given the all clear from the team to push, and the action ramped up once again as everyone upped the pace. The DAMS driver closed up to Hauger by eight tenths of a second on the following lap, with the gap at 1.9s entering the final 10 laps.
With five laps left, Pourchaire made the dive at Turn 1 on Maini having been stuck to the rear wing of the Campos. Bearman was next on the attack, taking fourth position from the Indian driver at the next corner, going all the way around the outside.
Down to three laps remaining and this time Bearman was the one making the late dive to the inside at Turn 1, forcing his way through on Pourchaire to take P3 from the french driver.
The full top 10 are- P1: Hauger, P2: Iwasa, P3: Bearman, P4: Pourchaire, P5: Daruvala, P6: Maini, P7: Martins, P8: Hadjar, P9: Vesti and P10: Doohan.
Day 3-
Doohan got a great launch from pole to lead into Turn 1 while third placed Vesti went wheel to wheel with Martins into the first corner. On the run to Turn 2, the PREMA Racing driver got the move done to seal second position.
Oliver Bearman started on mediums from seventh, but the Briton fell back to ninth on the opening lap, passed by Dennis Hauger and Enzo Fittipaldi who were both on the softs. Juan Manuel Correa made an electric start to move up five places to P10.
Zane Maloney was the first of those on soft tyres to make a mandatory stop on Lap 8. The Rodin Carlin driver rejoined in 21st but his stopped dragged a few more in on the following lap.
Isack Hadjar was the first of the top five to stop on Lap 13 from fifth and Theo Pourchaire responded one lap later, both swapping to the mediums. The ART Grand Prix driver rejoined in 14th to remain ahead of his compatriot, but both were caught up behind Amaury Cordeel on old medium tyres.
Vesti made the swap to mediums lap 23, rejoining in fourth position just 1.4s ahead of title rival Pourchaire. Martins pitted on the following lap and filtered out on cold tyres ahead of Vesti. The Mercedes junior breezed back through to take the place on the run to Turn 2.
While his rivals scrapped on track, Doohan made his stop on Lap 25, rejoining with the lead of the race and 8.7s ahead of closest challenger Vesti in second. Iwasa was onto the back of Pourchaire quickly with his soft tyres fired up. The Japanese driver got the switchback out of Turn 1 to take fifth position on Lap 26.
The full top 10 are- P1: Doohan, P2: Vesti, P3: Martins, P4: Iwasa, P5: Hadjar, P6: Pourchaire, P7: Hauger, P8: Fittipaldi, P9: Correa and P10: Verschoor.
Avalanche Andretti Formula E have announced their line-up for the rookie test in Berlin. Representing Andretti will be Formula 2 driver and Red Bull Junior and Reserve driver, Zane Maloney and reigning INDY NXT Champion, Linus Lundqvist.
The duo will hit the Tempelhof Street Circuit to gather crucial data for Andretti, whilst gaining their first experience of Formula E. Maloney is “very excited” to have been invited to the test and is incredibly grateful to Andretti for making it possible, with him set to “learn as much as I can”.
Maloney has come on leaps and bounds the past few years, last year he competed in FIA Formula 3 and finished 2nd in his rookie season, he then took the jump up to Formula 2 this year and so far has scored 29 points.
I’m very excited to be part of the Berlin Rookie Test with Avalanche Andretti Formula E. Driving in Formula E is going to be a new experience for me so I’m very grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank everyone at Andretti for making this possible. I will be trying to learn as much as I can during this test and gain some beneficial experience in the GEN3 car.
Maloney on the rookie test.
Since winning the INDY NXT Championship last season, Lundqvist has tested an IndyCar at Texas Motor Speedway, as he continues to search for his next move. The Swiss driver is incredibly talented and has won four titles since 2016, making it understandable on why Andretti has picked Lundqvist.
Like Maloney, Lundqvist is very excited to get a chance in the new Gen3 car and experience a new series with the Swiss driver now focused on “doing my best to be as prepared as possible”.
Big thanks to Michael Andretti, JF Thormann, Roger Griffiths and everyone at Andretti for this amazing opportunity. I’m super excited and grateful for the occasion. It will be great to experience a completely new car and series that I’ve not driven in before. I know it’s going to be very different to anything I’ve done before, but I’m doing my best to be as prepared as possible to have a successful test with the Avalanche Andretti Formula E team. I can’t wait to get going!
Lundqvist on the rookie test.
The Avalanche Andretti Formula E team are very much looking forward to having both Zane and Linus join us for the Berlin Rookie Test after the doubleheader 2023 Sabic Berlin E-Prix. Both drivers have shown themselves to be highly competitive in their relative endeavors and represent some exciting new talent. Having the rookie test is fundamentally important for raising the potential and possibility of bringing new driver talent to the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.Formula E has fast gained status within the motorsport world as being a very competitive Championship and that makes it very attractive to up-and-coming drivers. It makes sense to have the test at the iconic Berlin-Tempelhof circuit immediately after the race weekend as we will have gathered a lot of data to be able support both drivers with. Zane and Linus will be with us for the duration of the race weekend, so we’re looking forward to integrating them into the team so they can understand how we both prepare for and operate over a race weekend.
Zane Maloney has become the newest member of the Red Bull Racing Junior driver programme, as well as serving as one of the team’s reserve drivers for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Maloney finished the 2022 FIA Formula 3 season second, just five points off winning the championship in his rookie season. Driving for Trident, he rebounded from a tricky start to the year in style, capping off his maiden campaign in F3 with three consecutive Feature Race victories but fell just short of the title at Monza.
Maloney was 2019, British F4 Champion with Carlin before making the switch to Euroformula Open for 2020, where he finished the season 8th. In 2021, the Bajan driver moved to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, He took one win, as well as a further seven podiums on the way to finish fourth in the standings.
Following the end of the 2022 F3 Championship, he took part in the post-season Formula 2 test with Carlin alongside fellow Red Bull Junior, Enzo Fittipaldi. Maloney finished the three-day event at Yas Marina Circuit with 246 laps under his belt.
I am thrilled to announce that I will be a part of the Red Bull Racing Junior Team and F1 Reserve Driver in 2023. I am grateful for the opportunity and support, and look forward to getting the season started.
Red Bull have added Brazilian racing driver and currently Formula 2 driver, Enzo Fittipaldi grandson of two-time former World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, to their junior academy.
It has been a strong season for the Brazilian driver who drives for Charouz, having achieved a trio of P2 finishes and the same number of P3’s.
Fittipaldi stated it ad been his performance back in Hungary where he finished P3 in the sprint and then P2 in the feature race which caught Red Bull’s attention before then having a meeting Marko at the Belgian GP round.
The 21 year old, currently sits in P6 in the standings, and is one of three drivers tied on 126 points. Logan Sargeant in P3 who is set to join Williams next season should he secure his super licence, is only nine points further up, so a lot can change.
I think after my result in Budapest, where I got two podiums on the same weekend, we started [talking more seriously]. I’ve always had a bit of contact since last year with Dr Helmut Marko and then at Spa this year we had a meeting — so after Budapest — and we were talking and I’m very happy to announce I’m now part of the Red Bull family. The junior team is an amazing opportunity for me.
Enzo Fittipaldi on joining the RB Academy.
It’s difficult to say now. I still have to do a really good job in Abu Dhabi. I’m fighting for third in the championship in Formula 2, I have the race this week, so it’s really important I do a good job there, so the goal is to finish top three this year. Let’s just say Abu Dhabi is very important for me. It’s very important I do a good job there. We’ll see what comes after. For sure, being part of a [Formula 1] team for me has always been a dream, especially Red Bull — the championship-winning team, the best team in Formula 1. It’s a dream for me. So all I can do is thank Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull, Christian Horner — it’s an unbelievable opportunity. Now is the time to work hard and keep pushing.
Liam Lawson will be making his Formula 1 debut on Friday, as Alpha Tauri have announced that the Carlin driver will take over the reins of the AT03 for the opening Free Practice session at Spa-Francorchamps.
The New Zealander will be getting behind the wheel of Pierre Gasly’s car, as part of the two young driver sessions, F1 teams are required to run this season.
So far in his 2022 season, the 20 year old has two wins and six podiums to his name, and currently sits eight in the Drivers’ Championship.
Part of their junior programme since 2019, the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri reserve driver got his first taste of F1 machinery with the Italian team last year during the post-season Young Drivers’ Test in Abu Dhabi and will now be taking the track following Formula 2’s Practice session.
Super excited to say I’ll be doing my first FP1 this weekend in Spa. I honestly couldn’t think of a better place to do it, it’s going to be a very exciting feeling. It’s a historic track and a place that I’ve always enjoyed driving, so in a Formula 1 car it’s gonna be incredible. I’ve been doing a lot of sim work over the year as well leading up to this, so I think the prep has been really, really good. Obviously, I had my first outing last year in December and since then, honestly, I’ve been dying to get back in the car.
Red Bull have terminated the contract of their test and reserve driver, Juri Vips after he used a racist slur during a gaming stream.
The team suspended Vips last week, pending an investigation when the clip emerged online, but now have announced his contract has been terminated.
Following its investigation into an online incident involving Juri Vips, Oracle Red Bull Racing has terminated Juri’s contract as its test & reserve driver. The team do not condone any form of racism.
Red Bull’s statement.
The 21 year old, is racing for Hitech Grand Prix in Formula 2, for a second year. It is not confirmed at whether Vips will continue as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.
Vips had served as Red Bull’s reserve driver at several events in 2020 before taking up the post more permanently for the 2022 season. He competed in one free practice session for the team at Spanish Grand Prix, and it looked like he was set for more appearances this season.
HiTech have spoken out on Juri Vips, and he will continue to compete with the team in F2 for the remainder of the season, with a chance to ‘redeem himself’.
I have made a decision for Juri to keep his F2 seat with Hitech for the remainder of the season, a decision we have seriously debated. Allowing him to complete his season with Hitech is an opportunity for him to demonstrate, through his actions, the type of person he is. I have made it clear that I think the language used was totally unacceptable, but I choose to give him the chance to redeem himself. Hitech GP employs an inclusive work force and has never condoned racism or offensive behaviour in any forms. That said, if we live in a society where no one can make a mistake, then genuinely apologise, have the chance for redemption and learn from it – what does it say about our society? I don’t know why he said what he said. I don’t know why he was streaming and playing COD [Call of Duty] at that time of day. Certainly, there are things which would have been far more beneficial for his career! What I do know is that having his contract terminated by Red Bull as a result of his actions is a crushing experience for him, a deservedly severe punishment. The reality is there will not be unanimous agreement whether that punishment is sufficient, and that is totally understandable.
Oliver Oakes, HiTech Boss
Where as, Formula 2 made an announcement after HiTech to see what the team was going to do…
Following the recent incident involving Juri Vips, F2 would like to reaffirm that the use of racist or discriminatory language cannot be tolerated in any environment. Hitech Grand Prix’s decision today is surprising and not one we would have taken. We will monitor the situation carefully with them to ensure that such behaviour is properly addressed.
Trident has confirmed that Jonny Edgar will be making his return to Formula 3 at Round 4 of the 2022 season after recovering from health issues, Edgar will be back driving for the team on home soil at Silverstone.
The Briton underwent a recovery process that has been successful and his progress means that he will be fit enough to race next week. Edgar last raced with the time at the first round in Sakhir but was forced to step away from racing to focus on his health.
His return means, that Oliver Rasmussen will depart but the Trident team thanked him for his work and wished him the best for the future and racing career.
Only missing out on a total of 4 races, Edgar already can’t wait to get stuck back into as well as thanking his medical team to return to the competitive championship.
I am extremely delighted to share this amazing news. I have no words to express how happy I am to welcome Jonny Edgar back and be able to follow him on track again. We are absolutely thrilled to know that the British racer, a Red Bull Junior driver, has finally overcome his health issues, winning a battle that will make him even stronger. Trident Motorsport will follow his return with its maximum commitment to help him recover the time he missed in two rounds he was forced to sit out from.
Giacomo Ricci, Trident team manager.
I am delighted to announce that I will be resuming my FIA F3 Championship campaign with Trident Motorsport next weekend at Silverstone. Following my Crohn’s diagnosis and period of illness, I have now improved sufficiently to make my return to racing.As well as my family and friends, I have so many people I would like to thank for making this possible, particularly Dr Helmut Marko and everyone at Red Bull, Trident Motorsport, Dr Phil Batty, Mr Mike Davison, Dr Ally Speight & his team at RVI Newcastle, Sam Village, Jeff Thorpe and The BRDC. Everyone has worked so hard to support me getting healthy again and their unwaivering support will always be appreciated.
Red Bull Racing, has suspended reserve and junior driver Juri Vips from all team duties with immediate effect.
Footage emerged of Juri Vips, on social media using a racist slur whilst streaming on Twitch.
Red Bull Racing has suspended junior driver Juri Vips from all team duties with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into the incident. As an organisation we condemn abuse of any kind and have a zero-tolerance policy to racist language or behaviour within our organisation.
Red Bull issued the above statement on social media.
Vips has been apart of the Red Bull junior team since 2018, and drove for the Formula 1 team during FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix. As well as this, he has represented the team at two end of season tests in Abu Dhabi.
I wish to unreservedly apologise for the offensive language used during a live gaming stream earlier today. This language is entirely unacceptable and does not portray the values and principles that I hold. I deeply regret my actions and this is not the example I wish to set. I will cooperate with the investigation fully.
Juri Vips statement on social media.
Vips is set to race next at the British Grand Prix in just over a weeks time, for HiTech Grand Prix in Formula 2, who have yet to issue their own statement on the matter.
Juri Vips was the fastest man in the free practice session today, he set a 1:55.924 to end practice ahead of Lawson and teammate Marcus Armstrong.
Strong winds kept the trees that line the circuit blowing as the drivers took to track for their initial laps. A dusty surface meant times were unrepresentative in the early phases of the session.
Enzo Fittipaldi was the first to have a brush with the wall, the Charouz racing driver nudged the exit wall at Turn 4 but was able to continue without any visible concerns. Clement Novalak found himself facing the wall soon after in the first sector, bringing out the red flag.
The session was back to green with 20 minutes, but it didn’t stay that way as Boschung’s joy at the top was short-lived as he was the next to find the wall – the Campos Racing man lost the rear end of his car on downshift and spun backwards into the barrier at Turn 5, bringing out the red flags for the second time.
The full top were- P1: Vips, P2: Lawson, P3: Armstrong, P4: Doohan, P5: Vesti, P6: Daruvala, P7: Drugovich, P8: Boschung, P9: Verschoor and P10: Hauger.
Qualifying-
Mr Juri Vips narrowly missed out on pole position last year, but made amends this year as he stormed to P1 in a highly competitive qualifying session in Baku. The HiTech driver had been stuck down in 10th following his opening run, but a surprise burst of pace was enough to put him 0.163s clear of Lawson as Dennis Hauger made it an all Red Bull junior top three.
As drivers started to back out with 11 minutes remaining, and the flying laps started they was brought to a hault due to Ayumu Iwasa who was determined to push his car to the limits- he carried to much speed into Turn 4 and collided with the barrier – he looked untouchable earlier on in the session as he was sitting comfortably on provisional pole.
The Japanese driver’s mistake blew the fight for pole wide open as Richard Verschoor and Hauger both clocked in personal bests. But it was the final minute of the session that showed who had mastered the streets of Baku.
The full top 10 are: P1: Vips, P2: Lawson, P3: Hauger, P4: Armstrong, P5: Drugovich, P6: Verschoor, P7: Sargeant, P8: Daruvala, P9: Vesti and P10: Hughes.
Red Bull junior driver, Juri Vips will be making his Formula 1 race debut when he steps into the cockpit of the RB18 for the first practice session at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The Estonian driver will be behind the wheel of Sergio Perez’s car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Vips, who currently competes in Formula 2 and is sat in eighth in the championship has been apart of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2018, and previously drove an F1 car at last year’s post season test in Abu Dhabi.
The opportunity for Vips is Red Bull fulfilling one of their two mandated young driver sessions for the year.
My Opinion-
Ahh Juri! I love this new rule, it gives young drivers the opportunity to get a handle on an F1 car in a free practice session. I could see Juri being a contender for an F1 seat next year, he has said before that Red Bull haven’t said he needs to win the F2 championship, just show you want it, so it will definitely be interesting to see how he does!
I imagine as Juri is in the Red Bull, we will see Liam Lawson in the Alpha Tauri for the FP1 outing.
A few more Formula 3 seats have been taken up recently, so lets take a look…
Edgar to Trident-
The reigning Champs, Trident annoucned that Jonny Edgar will be joining the team for 2022, where he moves from Carlin. The Brit, finished 18th with 23 points in his rookie season- he managed to score five top-10 finishes.
He drove for the team, in post-season testing and impressed the team to earn a drive, he ended the afternoon session on day 3 in third.
Jonny is also a member of the Red Bull Junior team, he has 3 years of experience in single seaters, which includes him winning the 2020 ADAC Formula 4 title.
Trident Team Owner Maurizio Salvadori added: “Jonny Edgar is a driver that we followed very closely last year in the Formula 3 Championship. Although he did not receive particular results, the English driver impressed us thanks to his qualities. I am therefore very happy that Jonny will. be part of the Trident Team lineup in 2022. I am sure that he will compete in a top championship and will be a real protagonist of the season.”
Correa stays with ART-
Juan Manuel Correa and Art Grand Prix have signed for another year together in Formula 3. The Sauber junior made his racing return with ART last year, two years on from the tragic accident in Spa.
He ended 2021, in 21st place where he had five top 10 finishes. When he was racing in Formula 2 he was a double-podium finisher scoring second place at Baku and Le Castellet with Charouz Racing System.
Correa took part in the Formula 2 post-season test in Abu Dhabi with Charouz so he could get some more mileage underneath him.
Team Principal Sébastien Philippe added: “Juan Manuel provided positive feedback by fitting in perfectly with the team and making progress after missing a year due to that pivotal event in his career. His strength of character has enabled him to rediscover his joy behind the wheel and to fight regularly in the top 10. In 2022, with the help of ART Grand Prix, he will be keen to take an additional step in his goals, to be even closer to the front and to participate in the team’s ambition to win both championships.”
MP signs Smolyar-
The Russian driver, Alex Smolyar will be returning to Formula 3 for his third season, but he is swapping ART Grand Prix for MP Motorsport.
Last year, Smolyar finished sixth overall, with two wins and four podiums. In his rookie season in 2020, he ended 11th with just one podium to his name.
The Russian, first made his single seater debut in 2017, where he drove for SMP Racing in Spanish F4 and SMP F4. He finished third in both series. He then went on to spend the next two years in the Formula Renault Eurocup.
“It’s great news that Alex and SMP Racing have put their faith in MP for this year’s FIA F3 Championship”, said MP Motorsport team principal Sander Dorsman. “Alex is arguably one of the best drivers to stay in the category for another season, and his vast knowledge of the car and the circuits will serve us well as we look forward to a strong season.”
My Opinion-
The move for Jonny is the right one, I feel like we will see a different driver this year in him. He will be wanting to help the team fight for the Championship again.
Correa has a good relationship with ART GP, and its only right that he stays with them I think. I feel like him staying in F3 this year is the right decision, hopefully we will see him make an appearance in the top 10 more consistently this year!
Smolyar, I feel like ART GP wasn’t the right fit for him. Yes he has done well in his first two years in F3 but I feel like MP will help make that step forward. It will be interesting to see how he does with a new team.
Liam Lawson has switched HiTech Grand Prix for Carlin in 2022, where he joins Williams Academy driver, Logan Sargeant.
The Red Bull junior, made his first appearance for the team, at post-season testing in Abu Dhabi where he finished four of the six sessions in the top 10.
2021, was Lawsons rookie season in Formula 2, which saw him win the opening race and take two more podiums during the year- he finished ninth overall. Not only this he competed in DTM last year, where he finished as runner-up.
The 19 year old has 4 years experience in European single-seater racing, making the move from New Zealand in 2018, where he had wont the NZ F1600 Championship the year before. He finished the year as vice-champion in ADAC F4, Lawson then moved to Formula 3 for 2019 with MP Motorsport where he took podiums in his rookie season.
In the same year Lawson finished second in Euroformula Open with four wins, he also won the Toyota Racing Series with 5 wins and 11 podiums. He then decided to switch to HiTech for his second year in F3 where he won three times and grabbed six podiums- he finished 5th overall.
“I’m super excited for the new opportunity this year,” said Lawson. “The pre-season test went really, really well. It was a completely different experience to what I’ve been used to. The whole team is really focused on the right things and all super motivated going into the season. The second year is always a good step having done a year and learnt a lot, so to take all of that into a new team is a great way to start.”
Carlin Team Manager Trevor Carlin added: “We’re really excited to have Liam join the team. He is a great talent and we’ve watched him with interest over the last few seasons. We’re very proud and thankful that Red Bull and Rodin have entrusted us with this next stage in Liam’s career. Liam did a great job in the post-season official tests in Abu Dhabi and slotted straight into the team. I expect him to be a championship contender this year.”
My Opinion-
This is the right move for him. He was very unlucky last year due to reliability, so with him moving to Carlin he should have a stable car for the 2022 season. Lets hope that Lawson will be in the fight for the title!
HiTech Grand Prix has revealed that Red Bull junior, Juri Vips will be sticking with them for a second season in F2.
Vips’ relationship with the team started in 2019 in Formula 3, where he managed to grab a pole, three wins and a further podium- he finished 4th.
Then in 2020, the Estonian driver made his debut in Formula 2 competing for four rounds with DAMS where he took 16 points and a podium.
In 2021, he managed to pull a seat full time with HiTech he became the first driver to win twice in a single weekend at Baku- second sprint race and the feature race.
Juri then managed to score four more podiums throughout the year, he ended his first year in 6th!
“I’m thrilled to be joining Hitech for another year,” said Vips. “We built a strong relationship in 2021, which enabled me to get to grips with the car and work closely with the team to ensure we gave our very best throughout the season. I’m looking forward to fighting for more victories. Massive thanks to Red Bull for their continuous support.”
My Opinion–
Juri’s announcement was the one I was waiting for the most. I felt like last year he had quite a lot of reliability issues and he got quite unlucky mid-way through the season and sometimes that can affect if you come back for another season or not.
But, with that being said he signed with HiTech which is great! He clearly has faith in the team to stick by them- it will be interesting how well he does this year!
Red Bull junior, Ayumu Iwasa has joined DAMS for the 2022 season making the move from F3 to F2.
He made his debut with the team at post-season testing, he will be partnering up with Roy Nissany for the season ahead.
Iwasa, competed in Formula 3 last year for HiTech GP where he finished 12th overall with a podium and one win! In his first season of European racing in 2020 he took the French Formula 4 title with nine wins and 15 podiums.
“I’m very excited to take on my first year of F2 with DAMS,” said Iwasa. “We worked together at the test in December, and I learnt a lot about the car and the team. We collected plenty of data, which will be useful ahead of the pre-season test. I’ll be taking on some new tracks this year, which will be a challenge but I’m looking forward to developing my skills throughout the season. I used to live in Le Mans when I was racing in French F4 so it’s great to be competing in F2 with a team based in the area. I can’t wait to arrive in Bahrain and get back on track with DAMS for testing on 2-4 March.”
“We are extremely happy to welcome Ayumu to the team,” said Co-Team Owners Grégory and Olivier Driot. “Ayumu started his single-seater career in Europe very successfully by winning the Formula 4 French Championship which is an impressive feat. He also had a strong first season in F3, managing to take victory in Hungary in front of some very experienced competitors last July. This year is going to be a whole new challenge for him in F2, but Ayumu showed during the Abu Dhabi test that he has the potential to perform at this level. For DAMS it’s also very exciting to work with Red Bull, with who we have had some great success in the past, and we are proud to be starting a new partnership with Honda.”
My Opinion-
I’m a bit mixed feelings on this one, one part of me says he should do another year in F3 considering he only finished 12th, but then the other part of me says he clearly is talented as he won a championship in his first year in European racing but either way it will be interesting to see how he does.
Isack Hadjar will become Formula 3’s newest Red Bull junior in 2022, in which he is making the step up with Hitech Grand Prix.
He will be making his debut with the team in the Formula Regional Asian Championship before linking up with the team for a full campaign of F3.
He joined the team for post-season testing in Valencia where he impressed the British team with a top 10 finish on the 3rd morning.
In 2021, the 17 year old took sixth place in the Asian F3 Championship with five podiums before he competed in the inaugural Formula Regional European campaign, where he finished fifth with five podiums which included two wins.
Hadjar, also arrives to Formula 3 with two years experience in French Formula 4, where he challenged for the title in 2020, in which he ended 3rd with three wins and eight podiums!
“I am really happy to race with Hitech for a full campaign in FIA F3 and Formula Regional Asia,” said Hadjar. “I’m excited to see what we are able to achieve together and be working with a new team as I make my step up. There will be a lot to take in and plenty to learn, but I am ready for the challenge! Thanks to Red Bull for their support.”
Jordan's Track Talk 