Several F2 drivers have had to leave the 2024 season early to go and pursue opportunities within other Championships.
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The Purpose of Formula 2
The FIA Formula 2 Championship is an open-wheel racing category serving as the second tier of formula racing in the FIA Global Pathway.
The category is run in support of selected rounds of the Formula One World Championship.
“The main thing we need to keep in mind is that this Championship has been created to help drivers into Formula 1, not into any other series,” reminded Paul Aron, current F2 driver for Hitech and 2025 Alpine Reserve Driver.
However, it is a clear observation that all of Formula 2’s young talent will not always make it to Formula 1, with only 20 available seats.
This is even more evident with Formula 2’s previous winners, with 2023 champion Théo Pourchaire most recently competing in the NTT IndyCar series with Arrow McLaren and 2022 champion Felipe Drugovich competing in the 2024 LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series for Vector Sport.
Therefore, although Formula 2 was not primarily created to help drivers transition into other series including Formula E, IndyCar, and WEC, it has partly evolved into that over time.
A “Two-Way Street”
“It’s a two-way street. If you want to go somewhere outside of Formula 2 it would be great to finish early and not have a clash,” recognised Aron.
Zane Maloney is a key example of a driver who may have been negatively impacted by the clashes in championship calendars across the world of motorsport.
With one race weekend remaining, Maloney is currently third in the F2 Driver Standings and still in mathematical contention to win the Championship.
However, with the driver joining Lola Yamaha ABT for the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Maloney is unable to complete the last race of the 2024 F2 season due to clashes with the Formula E calendar.
“At the same time, I don’t think that that is their priority, and I don’t think it needs to be their priority, so that’s just how it goes,” said Aron.
Gabriel Bortoleto, current Formula 2 Championship leader for Invicta racing and 2025 Stake F1 Team driver, added:
“Zane is not going to do it [finish the F2 season] because he is joining Formula E. That’s what he chose; that’s the contract he signed; he is a professional driver, so he can focus on that.“
“At the end of the day, this is a junior series. We don’t get paid to do this.”
Looking For Other Opportunities
With this in mind, drivers may deem taking on the responsibility of becoming a professional in another series more important and fulfilling than their Formula 2 responsibilities.
However, as previously seen, once a driver leaves the security of the Formula 1 and junior series paddock, it is hard to make their way back again if they should wish to.
Therefore, a driver who is going to pursue opportunities elsewhere but also in with a chance at winning the Formula 2 Championship may want to finish their season in hopes that it could aid their dreams to become a Formula 1 driver in the future.
“The drivers that left, it’s their choice to leave,” stated Aron.
Aron’s statement is seemingly true, with the action of leaving the Formula 2 Championship to pursue other opportunities solely being the driver’s choice.
However, at this stage, one could argue that the drivers also have no other choice and must leave the series to seize an opportunity elsewhere.
The Benefits Of The Current F2 Calendar
“In the end, they are ending the Formula 2 season with the Formula 1 season, which I think is smart because it means all the drivers are there when the season ends, and you obviously have the rookie test, which is straight after,” said Aron.
Ultimately, ending both the Formula 1 and Formula 2 seasons together is an advantage, with the young drivers able to interact with the teams and personnel that one day they want to be a part of.
As Aron mentioned, they typically schedule the Formula 1 post-season test a few days after the final Grand Prix weekend at the same circuit in Abu Dhabi.
This makes it convenient for several of the young drivers to take part in the test, giving them the all-important experience in a Formula 1 car that they desire.
“When you take a decision […] I don’t think you’d be upset about going there [to other Championships] they are happy to go there, and that’s it,” added Victor Martins, current Formula 2 driver for ART Grand Prix.
As Martins states, drivers who leave the Formula 2 Championship are not necessarily disappointed, as participating in another high-level championship such as Formula E, IndyCar, or WEC is a considerable achievement.
Leaving Room for the Youngsters
“It has been a bit strange seeing half the grid almost change from the beginning of the year,” Aron reflected.
With several drivers leaving the Championship early, it has meant that a number of young drivers have been able to step up into the series from FIA Formula 3 and GB3.
Crucially, this gives other talent the opportunity to climb the Formula ladder as they aim to fulfil their dreams of Formula 1.
“For me, it works,” added Bortoleto, who is Formula 1 bound for the 2025 season.
For drivers who have been lucky enough to follow the intended path from Formula 3 to Formula 2, then Formula 2 to Formula 1 like Bortoleto, the current calendar seems most beneficial and natural.
Final Reflections
With several F2 drivers leaving the season early to pursue opportunities in other Championships, is it time to revise the calendar?
Although participation in other high-level championships, including Formula E, IndyCar, and WEC is a considerable achievement, many drivers will still hope to achieve their lifelong dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
Furthermore, is the view that Formula 2 is just a gateway into Formula 1 an outdated one, with several drivers seemingly taking other routes from the series?
Featured Image Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited
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