Various really promising drivers join this year’s Formula 2 grid and might give us one of the best title fights of the feeder series
Formula 1 testing is on its way but we can have an early prediction of this year’s RedBull dominance will continue. However, the feeder series just below F1 might be the place to watch a close title fight this year. With many new faces and returning drivers, the grid could have some of the toughest competition we have seen in many years. This are all the drivers competing in Formula 2 for the next season. The series will also have a completely new car, much more similar to modern F1 cars.
Let’s have a look on the Formula 2 grid team by team and check the stats of every challenger.
ART
Last years constructors and driver champions with Theo Pourchaire look to keep their dominance for another season.
- Victor Martins: The French driver is one of the Alpine academy challengers on the grid. With an F3 and a Renault Eurocup championship on his back and his fellow Alpine driver Jack Doohan out of the grid and acting as reserve driver for the French team. He ended 5th in Formula 2 in his rookie season and was the highest rookie in the standings.
- Jack O’Sullivan: one of the two Williams Junior drivers in the grid coming from Formula 3. Of course, they will fight for the championship but getting a better position and enough superlicence points might be all they need to get a seat for the following years. Zack only has a GB3 Championship on his back but that does not make him any less of a title contender.
PREMA
The most successful structure in the feeder series has two of the most promising names from the most respected driver’s academies.
- Oliver Bearman: The Ferrari junior comes back after a very promising 6th place on his rookie season. Ollie has two Formula 4 (ADAC and Italian) championships on his back and a close relationship with Haas that could bring him to an F1 seat very soon.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli: If a rookie who has not competed in Formula 3 is the favorite for winning in Formula 2 it has to be for something special. The Mercedes junior has been rumored to replace Lewis Hamilton when he leaves for Ferrari in 2025. He has two CIK-FIA Karting European Championships, two F4 championships (ADAC Germany and Italian) and two Formula Regional championships (FRECA and Middle Eastern) and he has won in every category he stepped to.
Rodin Motorsport
With the name CARLIN gone and just as Rodin the 2018 constructors champions could have a chance to climb in the standings once more.
- Zane Maloney: Ex RedBull junior now a Sauber junior. The Barbadian got in the top 10 last year and could have a chance to step up in 2024. The 2019 F4 Ford British Champion has a good structure in Rodin and maybe a chance in the future of Sauber with Audi.
- Ritomo Miyata: After defeating Liam Lawson in Japanese SuperFormula the Toyota Gazoo junior is one of the most promising new names. Although, his future might not be limited to F1 thanks to his partnership with Toyota. Perhaps, a seat in WEC might be what his academy wants to prepare him for.
DAMS
French team goes with a double American lineup for 2024
- Jak Crawford: The American is now set to compete in his second F2 season and will be making the switch to DAMS after his rookie campaign in 2023 with Hitech. Besides that, he also joined the Aston Martin development program.
- Juan Manuel Correa: He is set to start his third Formula 2 season as he makes the switch from Van Amersfoort Racing to DAMS for 2024. Even though, he only finished 19 in the standings.
Invicta Racing
Known for having drivers such as Zhou Guanyu or Felipe Drugovich the yellow squad returns with a new name.
- Gabriel Bortoleto: Current F3 champion on his first season and recently announce Mclaren Academy member. The Brazilian also looks like one of the favorite drivers to lead the standings.
- Kush Maini: The Indian racer made the step up from FIA Formula 3 where he placed 13th in the 2022 Drivers’ Championship with MP Motorsport. Before that, Maini made the move to single seater racing in 2016 in Italian F4 and later finished third in the British F3 in 2018 and second in 2020. That was before he also competed in the F3 Asia while also trying his hand at the FIA World Endurance Championship.
MP Motosport
The 2022 Constructors and Drivers champions choose to balance having an experienced driver and a rookie.
- Franco Colapinto: The Argentinian, who secured a victory at the Youth Summer Olympics in 2018, transitioned to single-seater racing, triumphing in the Spanish F4 Championship in 2019. In 2020, he achieved third place in both the Toyota Racing Series and the Formula Renault Eurocup. The following year, Colapinto diversified into sportscar racing, competing in the Asian and European Le Mans Series, as well as the FIA Endurance Trophy. In 2022, he joined the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing, finishing ninth, and improved to fourth place in his second season with MP Motorsport. He is poised to continue with the Dutch team in FIA Formula 2 in 2024.
- Dennis Hauger: In his second year in Formula 3, the Ex-Red Bull junior easily clinched the championship with PREMA Racing, securing three pole positions and nine podiums, including four wins, out of 20 races. Hauger’s single-seater career began in 2018 after a successful karting career, winning Italian F4 and finishing second in ADAC F4 in 2019 before transitioning to F3 in 2020. Following a rookie season with Hitech Grand Prix, Hauger switched to PREMA, then moved to MP Motorsport for 2023. He is now preparing for his second season with the Dutch team in 2024.
Van Amersfoort
The Dutch outfit joined the Championship in 2022 and after finishing 10th in their debut campaign, they returned in 2023 to place seventh.
- Rafael Villagómez: The Mexican driver successfully transitioned from karting in 2020, achieving podium finishes in both the British and French F4 Championships. Subsequently, he advanced to FIA Formula 3 in 2021, amassing valuable experience over three seasons. Building upon this foundation, Villagómez will make his debut in the Formula 2 series with Van Amersfoort Racing in 2024.
- Enzo Fittipaldi: Known as the ‘little shark’, debuted in F2 with Charouz Racing System in 2021. However, an injury in Jeddah prevented him from competing in the season finale at Yas Marina. In 2023, he joined Rodin Carlin and secured his first victory in the category at the Sprint race in Belgium, adding to his four podium finishes. Fittipaldi‘s career began in the 2016 Ginetta Junior Championship, and he transitioned to single-seaters the following season. In 2018, he won Italian F4 and claimed third place in ADAC F4. After joining the Formula Regional European Championship in 2019, he finished as the runner-up before moving to F3 with HWA RACELAB in 2020 and eventually switching to Charouz the following year. In 2024, he goes to racing with Van Amersfoort Racing.
Hitech Pulse-Eight
The British silver team get another experienced driver and rookie duo on the grid.
- Paul Aron: The ex-Mercedes junior had a brilliant F3 season and that earned him his F2 seat for this year. The Estonian looks to make an impression after becoming a free agent. However, his exit from the junior program makes this season a challenge he will have to face.
- Amaury Cordeel: The Belgian stepped up to F2 in 2022 with Van Amersfoort Racing, before switching to Invicta Racing for the 2023 season where he partnered Jack Doohan. Cordeel never karted professionally and made the move into single seaters with only testing experience at the age of 14. Debuting in the 2017 French Formula 4 series, where he placed 16th, the Belgian made the switch to Spanish F4 the following season and won the title with 12 podiums and four poles, including four wins.
Campos Racing
RedBull academy makes a huge investment in the Spanish team with two of his juniors.
- Isack Hadjar: Isack Hadjar has returned for a second season of racing in FIA Formula 2 following his debut season with Hitech Pulse-Eight, during which the French racer achieved a 14th place finish in the Driver’s Championship. His standout performance included a notable victory at the Zandvoort Sprint race.
- Pepe Martí: in his second year in FIA Formula 3 in 2023, Josep María Martí demonstrated significant progress, culminating in a fifth-place finish in the Drivers’ Championship. His achievement included securing three victories and two pole positions, marking a substantial advancement from his 26th place finish in 2022. Prior to this, Martí showcased his capabilities in the Spanish F4 series in 2021, where he achieved third place, and in the Formula Regional Asian Championship, where he finished as the runners-up. With the guidance of mentor Fernando Alonso, Martí is now poised to elevate his career to the FIA F2 level, continuing with Campos Racing in 2024.
Trident
The Italian team, like its rivals, were putting the all-new F2 machinery through its paces, keen to learn as much as they could about the car ahead of round one later this month at the same venue.
- Roman Stanek: Trident Racing’s Roman Stanek is poised for a second season in FIA Formula 2 after placing 18th in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship. His standout performance was a fifth-place finish at the Austria Sprint race. Stanek previously excelled in karting before transitioning to single-seater racing in 2019, competing in the ADAC F4 and Italian F4 Championships, where he finished fourth and fifth, respectively. He then progressed to FIA Formula 3 for two seasons, culminating in a fifth-place finish in the Drivers’ Championship. Stanek is set to continue his journey with Trident in F2 in 2024.
- Richard Verschoor: The Dutch made his car racing debut with MP Motorsport in 2016, winning the Spanish Formula 4 Championship. He then gained experience in Formula Renault Eurocup and the Toyota Racing Series before competing in FIA Formula 3 with MP Motorsport. Following success at the 2019 Macau Grand Prix, he continued in F3 before moving up to F2 in 2021. After initially racing with MP Motorsport, he later joined Charouz Racing System and then Trident Racing in subsequent years. Verschoor spent 2023 with Van Amersfoort Racing and is set to return to the Italian team in 2024.
PHM AIX Racing
After finishing last on the previous season a new lineup might be what the team needs.
- Joshua Dürksen: With a wealth of experience in single-seater racing, including victories in UAE Formula 4, Italian F4, and ADAC Formula 4 Championships, Duerksen is set to enter FIA Formula 2 in 2024. Joining PHM Racing, the Paraguayan driver aims to demonstrate his skills in the upcoming season.
- Taylor Barnard: In 2012, Barnard commenced his karting career, achieving success at both British and international levels. After winning the WSK Final Cup OKJ and WSK Champions Cup at OK in 2018 and 2020, he transitioned to single-seaters. Throughout his first full campaign in Italian, ADAC, and UAE Formula 4, he secured six wins and 12 podiums, finishing in eighth, second, and ninth places, respectively. In 2023, he emerged as the runner-up in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship and concluded his rookie FIA Formula 3 season with Jenzer Motorsport in 10th place in the Drivers’ Standings, boasting one win. For the 2024 season, he is progressing to FIA Formula 2 with PHM AIX Racing.
The F2 season is about to begin. The first race shares track with F1 in the Bahrain GP. There has not been a higher level in F2 since the likes of Russell, Norris or Albon used to drive in the category.
