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FIA Formula 2 Championship
Single-seater racing championship From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The FIA Formula 2 Championship (F2) is a second-tier single-seater championship organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.[1] The championship was introduced in 2017, following the rebranding of the long-term Formula One feeder series GP2. The series' original founders were Flavio Briatore and current managing director Bruno Michel. Although it is not necessary, most current F1 drivers have previously participated in Formula 2 or GP2 before graduating to Formula One. It is the final step on the FIA Global Pathway from Karting to Formula One.
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Formula 2 is designed to create an ideal training ground for life in Formula One, and to this effect, it makes racing relatively affordable for the teams. As a spec series, all teams are required to use the same chassis (designed by Italian manufacturer Dallara), engine, and tire supplier. These are designed to mirror Formula One cars in terms of safety, aesthetics, system functionalities, performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Formula 2 mainly races on European and Middle Eastern circuits, but has made appearances at other international race tracks, such as the Albert Park Circuit in Australia.
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History
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Origin and first season
In 2015, the FIA announced plans to revive the Formula Two category, following the continued success of GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5.[2] This decision came despite the discontinuation of the FIA Formula Two Championship only three years prior, owing to a lack of entries in its final season.[3][4] On 8 March 2017, the FIA confirmed that the GP2 Series would be rebranded as the FIA Formula 2 Championship after an agreement with Liberty Media, which had acquired both the series and the Formula One Group earlier that year.[5][6] FIA President at the time, Jean Todt, stated that "rationalising the pathway to Formula One has been a major goal of the FIA in my time here."[7]
The 2017 Formula 2 Championship comprised eleven rounds, ten of which supported the Formula One World Championship, with an additional stand-alone event at the Circuito de Jerez.[1] The series retained the Dallara GP2/11 chassis, in use since 2011, and the Mecachrome V8108 GP2 V8, first introduced in 2005. Rookie and reigning GP3 Series champion Charles Leclerc won the Drivers' Championship,[8] while Russian Time secured the Teams' Championship, its second at this level, having previously won in 2013.[citation needed]
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2018–2020
The 2018 season introduced a new car, the Dallara F2 2018, featuring the Mecachrome V634 engine and the halo driver crash-protection device, which was also adopted by Formula One that year. Circuit Paul Ricard and the Sochi Autodrom were added to the calendar, while the Circuito de Jerez was removed. Carlin returned to the series after a one-year absence, and Charouz Racing System joined following the discontinuation of World Series Formula V8 3.5. Soon after the season concluded, Russian Time was sold to Virtuosi Racing, which had been operating the team since 2015.[citation needed]
The 2019 season witnessed the first fatality of a driver competing in the second tier of FIA-sanctioned formula racing in 10 years when French driver Anthoine Hubert was killed during the feature race at Spa-Francorchamps.[9] The race was red-flagged and subsequently cancelled, along with the following day's sprint race. Later that year, the FIA introduced the Anthoine Hubert Award in his memory, recognising the highest-placed rookie in the standings. Zhou Guanyu became the inaugural recipient of the same.[10]
The 2020 season was heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant postponements, cancellations, and schedule revisions. The season eventually began in July and included an appearance at the Mugello Circuit for the first, and only, time.[citation needed]
2021–2023
The 2021 season underwent major restructuring as part of post-pandemic cost-cutting measures. Each round featured three races instead of two, while the number of circuits was reduced from twelve to eight. The Dallara F2 2018 chassis remained in use, despite plans for its replacement that year.[11] The calendar was separated from that of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, meaning the two series no longer ran on the same Grand Prix weekends.[a] As a result, the Red Bull Ring, Hungaroring, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Circuit Paul Ricard, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps were no longer included on the calendar, while the Jeddah Corniche Circuit was added to the schedule.[citation needed]
The 2022 championship marked a return to the pre-2021 format of two races per round,[b] alongside a reduction in points awarded for sprint races, pole positions, and fastest laps. The calendar expanded to twenty-eight races across fourteen rounds. Circuits dropped in 2021 returned to the schedule, alongside the addition of two venues—Imola Circuit and Circuit Zandvoort. The round at Sochi Autodrom was cancelled following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, Formula 2 raced at the Albert Park Circuit for the first time. Although Imola was initially scheduled, the round was cancelled due to severe flooding in the area.
2024–present
A new chassis—the Dallara F2 2024—was introduced in 2024. Designed to more closely resemble the current generation of Formula One cars, it incorporated advanced safety technologies[12] and was engineered to better accommodate female drivers.[13] The series also made its debut at the Lusail International Circuit, which replaced the round at Zandvoort on the calendar.[14]
The Imola Circuit was removed from the calendar following 2025 and will be replaced by the Madring from 2026 onwards.[15]
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Race weekend
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A Formula 2 race weekend is structured over three days. It typically begins on Friday with a 45-minute practice session followed by a 30-minute qualifying session. The first race, known as the sprint race, is held on Saturday. Its grid is formed by reversing the top ten positions from qualifying, and the race is run over a distance of approximately 120 km (75 mi)[c] or a maximum duration of 45 minutes, whichever is reached first. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the feature race, traditionally the main event, which precedes the Formula 1 Grand Prix. This race covers around 170 km (110 mi)[d] or lasts up to one hour, depending on which limit is reached first. Between 2017 and 2020, the feature race was scheduled on Saturdays, with the sprint race moved to Sundays.[16]
Points system
The top 8 finishers in the sprint race receive the following points:
The top 10 finishers in the Feature Race receive the following points:
The driver who secures pole position in Friday's qualifying session is awarded two additional championship points. In both the sprint and feature races, one point is granted for the fastest lap, provided the driver finishes within the top ten of the final classification. The maximum number of points achievable by a single driver in one round is 39.
In the event that two or more drivers finish the season with an equal number of points, a countback system is applied to determine their standings. Priority is given to the driver with the greater number of race victories. If still tied, the number of second-place finishes is compared, followed by third-place finishes, and so forth, until the tie is resolved. This procedure applies at all stages of the championship.
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Drivers
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Numbering System
The FIA Formula 2 Championship allocates car numbers based on the results of the previous season's team standings, following a system similar to that used in Formula One between 1996 and 2013.[17] Numbers are assigned sequentially, with the exception of number 13, which has remained unused since the introduction of the GP2 Series in 2005. In tribute to Anthoine Hubert, who suffered fatal injuries in Spa-Francorchamps in 2019, the number 19 was permanently retired ahead of the 2020 season. The following year, the number 18 was also withdrawn in his memory.[18][19]
Drivers graduated to F1
Since its rebranding in 2017, Formula 2 has established itself as the principal feeder series to Formula One, with many of its drivers progressing directly to the top tier of motorsport. Charles Leclerc and Sergey Sirotkin, were the first graduate from the series to F1 following their debuts with Sauber and Williams in 2018, respectively. Leclerc entered Formula One as the reigning Formula 2 champion, while Sirotkin had made a one-round appearance in the inaugural F2 season as a reserve driver and had previously competed in GP2, finishing third in both the 2015 and 2016 standings. In 2019, the three leading drivers from the 2018 season graduated to Formula One: champion George Russell, runner-up Lando Norris, and third-place finisher Alex Albon, who debuted with Williams, McLaren, and Scuderia Toro Rosso, respectively. The following year, 2019 runner-up Nicholas Latifi joined Williams as the only full-time newcomer from Formula 2, while Jack Aitken, who finished fifth in the 2019 standings, made a single appearance at the Sakhir Grand Prix as Williams' reserve driver.[citation needed]
The 2021 Formula One grid featured three graduates from the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship: champion Mick Schumacher and fifth-placed Nikita Mazepin joined Haas, while third-placed Yuki Tsunoda debuted with AlphaTauri. Zhou Guanyu, who finished third in the 2021 Formula 2 Championship standings, was the only full-time graduate in 2022, signing with Alfa Romeo. That season also saw the debut of 2019 champion Nyck de Vries, who substituted for Williams at the Italian Grand Prix. De Vries had since raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship and Formula E, where he won the 2021 title, before joining AlphaTauri full-time the next year.
In 2023, two more former F2 drivers made their Formula One debuts: Oscar Piastri, 2021's Formula 2 champion (who also served as Alpine's reserve driver in 2022) and 2022 Formula 2 Championship fourth-place finisher Logan Sargeant, who signed with McLaren and Williams, respectively.[20] The 2023 season also saw the debut of Liam Lawson, who finished third in Formula 2 in 2022 and made reserve driver appearances for AlphaTauri whilst also competing in Super Formula. He would later gain a full-time seat with the team during 2024. Three other drivers also made in-season debuts in 2024. Oliver Bearman, sixth in the 2023 standings, raced for both Ferrari and Haas as a reserve driver before securing a full-time Haas seat in 2025. Franco Colapinto left his 2024 Formula 2 campaign mid-season to join Williams, while Jack Doohan, third in 2023, debuted for Alpine in the final race of the year ahead of a full-time promotion in 2025. The 2025 season featured three additional graduates: 2024 champion Gabriel Bortoleto joined Sauber, runner-up Isack Hadjar signed with Racing Bulls, and sixth-placed Kimi Antonelli entered Formula One with Mercedes.[citation needed]
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Rounds
The following fourteen circuits have contracts to host rounds for the 2026 season:[15]
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Awards
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Drivers' Championship
Teams' Championship
Anthoine Hubert Award
The Anthoine Hubert Award was established at the 2019 prize-giving ceremony in Monaco in honour of Anthoine Hubert, who was killed in an accident during the feature race at Spa-Francorchamps that year. This accolade is presented annually to the highest-placed driver in their first Formula 2 season and serves as the series’ equivalent to a "Rookie of the Year" award.[10]
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Car, technology and cost
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Running a Formula 2 car is estimated to cost around US$3 million per season.[32] In most cases, drivers must cover these expenses themselves, either through sponsorships or personal and family resources. These high costs remain one of the principal barriers to progressing into Formula One. To ease the financial burden, the FIA has implemented a number of cost-control measures, including freezing car specifications and reducing the number of venues, most notably with changes introduced for the 2021 season.[33]
As of 2025[update], all teams in the FIA Formula 2 Championship compete with an identical car built around a carbon-fiber Dallara chassis and powered by a single-turbocharged Mecachrome V634 engine, which is next scheduled for an update in 2029. The car is expected to weigh a minimum of 755 kg (1,664 lb), with the driver, and is equipped with a Hewland-supplied gearbox featuring an eight-position barrel with ratchet body and software refinements that improve gear selection.[citation needed] Clutches are supplied by ZF Sachs and operated through a hand-paddle lever.[34]
Since the inception of the GP2 Series in 2005, the OZ Group has been the sole wheel supplier. In 2020, the category moved from 13 in (330 mm) to 18 in (457 mm) magnesium-alloy wheels inspired by road-car designs. This change, made in anticipation of Formula One's 2022 wheel regulations, also allowed closer data sharing between the two series.[35] Pirelli has exclusively supplied tyres for Formula 2 since 2017. They currently provide four slick options: a purple supersoft, red soft, yellow medium, and white hard. A single wet compound with a blue sidewalls is also supplied during rainy conditions.[citation needed]
The cars are fuelled by a standard FIA Premier FT5 safety tank with a maximum capacity of 125 litres. Refuelling during races, however, is prohibited for safety and cost control reasons. In 2023, Aramco became the official fuel partner for the series, providing all entrants with standardised fuel.[36]
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Driver control systems remain deliberately simple. Steering is rack-and-pinion and entirely manual, without power assistance, similar to the IndyCar Series. XAP Technology has supplied steering wheels since 2011, with the current Formula 2451 S3 model introduced in 2018. It includes six front-facing buttons, five rear paddles for DRS, gear shifting, and clutch operation, as well as three rotary switches, closely resembling the layout of its Formula E counterpart. Electronics are also standardised across the grid: all cars carry a Marelli Marvel SRG 480 electronic control unit and a Marelli PDU 12-42 power supply management unit. Telemetry is limited to broadcast purposes, though teams may access data when the car is in the garage.[citation needed]
Since 2015, the series has also employed the Drag Reduction System (DRS), which lowers the angle of the rear wing's upper element by more than 40 degrees to aid overtaking when a driver is within one second of a rival. The system is deactivated automatically in wet conditions for safety.[citation needed]
Despite being slower than Formula One cars, Formula 2 remains amongst the fastest single-seaters in motorsport, capable of reaching top speeds of around 335 km/h in low-downforce configuration. Their distinguishing performance lies in cornering and braking, where downforce allows up to 3.9 g of lateral acceleration and 3.6 g under braking,[37] compared with 2.6 g for Formula 3[38] and around 1.7 g for production-based Porsche Carrera Cup cars.[39] As an example of the differences between the FIA formula categories, at Albert Park Circuit, the Formula 2 lap record stands at 1:28.989,[40] compared with 1:19.813 for Formula One[41] and 1:33.025 for Formula 3.[42] As Liam Lawson, a driver with experience across F1, F2, and Japan's Super Formula, noted in 2023, the latter category is "faster than Formula 2, a lot closer to Formula 1, and sometimes it even feels like F1 in some corners. Downforce is pretty exceptional."[43]
At the same time, speed has also been progressively reinforced over the series’ history. Each car must meet FIA standards for frontal, side, rear, and steering-column impact tests and is built with roll hoops, impact structures, and push-tested monocoques. Anti-intrusion survival cells have been mandatory since 2011, alongside wheel tether cables to reduce the risk of wheels detaching in crashes. The halo driver crash-protection device was introduced in 2018.[44]
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Media coverage
Formula Two is broadcast live in almost every country and territory worldwide. From 2017 to 2024, commentary for races was covered by Alex Jacques. In 2025, the FIA announced that Chris McCarthey would be replacing him going forward.[45]
Although Formula One Management owns the television rights for this series, alongside those of Formula One, FIA Formula 3 Championship and F1 Academy, they have licensed the same to several different regional companies. For example, Sky exclusively airs every free practice, qualifying, and race live in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, and Germany. Similarly, Viaplay exercises similar control over coverage in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. In Africa and Southeast Asia, Supersport and beIN maintain a monopoly over broadcasts, respectively. In North America, this is handled by Bell Media, FOX Sports, and ESPN.[46]
Between 2019 and 2021, Match! Arena broadcast races in Russia. Their contract was terminated in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[citation needed]
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See also
Notes
- The final round of the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship, was initially set to take place at the Circuit of the Americas before moving to the Sochi Autodrom.
- The Monte Carlo Formula 2 round is run for 100 km (62 mi) instead.
- The Monte Carlo Formula 2 round is run to 140 km (87 mi) kilometres and the Budapest Formula 2 round is run to 160 km (99 mi) kilometres instead.
- Logan Sargeant finished first in the rookie standings, but the Anthoine Hubert award was awarded to Ayumu Iwasa, as Sargeant had previously been a substitute for the 2021 Jeddah round.[30]
References
External links
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