Young Speedsters Race Across the World: A Rookie’s Guide to Formula 2
- therookiereporters
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
In this series, we explore sports from every corner of the globe and break them down so that even complete beginners can follow along and get involved. Our goal is to make every sport fun and accessible for everyone.
Today, we will unpack the world of Formula 2.
Formula 2 is a single-seater motorsport series that follows the circus of Formula 1 around the world each year. In 2025, the season kicked off in Melbourne, Australia, and will span 14 rounds. The journey will cover 13 countries across 3 continents, with the finale in Abu Dhabi in December. The series uses all the same tracks as Formula 1 so the young drivers get a chance to learn their unique layouts, readying them for the step up.
In 2017, Formula 2 was created to be the penultimate step of Formula 1, with many drivers such as Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Gabriel Bortoleto winning the championship before graduating to Formula 1. Many of the current grid also have competed in the series before signing for a Formula 1 team.
There are eleven teams on the grid, each fielding two drivers. Drivers come from all around the world to compete and showcase their skills on the world stage. To compete, you must be 17 at the start of the season, so many of the drivers are late teens and early twenties, who are still learning the craft of racing, aiming for a sustained career in motorsport.
Every driver in Formula 2 has the same specs of car, a V6-3.4 litre single turbocharged Mecachrome engine, Dallara machine. This lets them showcase their raw ability and skill on an even playing field.
In Formula 2, drivers have to fund their seats either through their own means or through sponsors. Many of the grid also have affiliations with Formula 1 teams, and are part of their junior development teams. Due to this, many drivers will have a different livery from their teammate, which indicates their commitment to a Formula 1 team such as Arvid Lindblad with Red Bull.
The weekend runs over three days, with a 45-minute practice session early Friday morning to allow the drivers a chance to dial into the track and ever-changing conditions, whilst the teams aim to adapt their car to each unique track. A couple of hours later, the field of 22 has 30 minutes to set their best lap time; the finishing order of this session will set the grid for Sunday's 170 km Feature race, where they receive grand prix-style points. Between this Feature race and qualification, on Saturday, the Formula 2 grid holds a Sprint race, reversing the positions of the top 10 qualifiers, and fighting for reduced points over a 120 km race.
Formula 2 teams are given two sets of slick tyres, the primaries and the alternatives, with the alternative tyres being the preferred qualifying tyre as they offer more grip, but do not have the same longevity as the primaries, which are used in both races. In Sunday's Feature race, teams are required to perform a pitstop for each of their drivers, which includes a change of tyre compound. Wets are also provided by Pirelli in case of a rain-hindered race.
Strap in and get comfortable as the Formula 2 championship races around the world.
Article written by Ellie Swain
