80 replies to this topic

[Frood]

Thought I'd get the ball rolling on this, considering we've already had two signings for next season.
 
Here's how the calendar shakes out, with the standard TEN WEEK GAP at the end of the season, for reasons. The calendar is largely the same as this year, apart from Melbourne moving ahead of Bahrain and Jeddah to be the season opener, and Spa and Hungary switching places.
 
 
The two signings so far are:
 
Leonardo Fornaroli at Invicta
Arvid Lindblad at Campos
 

Team            Driver 1            Driver 2
Invicta         Leonardo Fornaroli  TBC
Campos          Arvid Lindblad      TBC
MP Motorsport   TBC                 TBC
Rodin           TBC                 TBC
Hitech          TBC                 TBC
Prema           TBC                 TBC
DAMS            TBC                 TBC
ART             TBC                 TBC
Van Amersfoort  TBC                 TBC
Trident         TBC                 TBC
AIX             TBC                 TBC

So who do we think will end up where for next year?
 
In terms of Formula 3 graduates, I expect Prema to pick up Gabriele Minì at the very least, given he's having a cameo for them this weekend (at time of writing) in Baku. Perhaps Dino Beganovic too, but I thought he was very underwhelming in F3 in 2024. I'd also expect to see Luke Browning at either ART or Hitech; the rumours are that (unfortunately) Amaury Cordeel will continue with Hitech next year. Dennis Hauger is also apparently angling to stay on at MP Motorsport (why?), possibly alongside Ollie Goethe. Christian Mansell may continue after his part-season with Trident but I expect the rest of the seats to be up in the air.
 
I imagine we might see more carryover from 2024, including Josh Dürksen, Rafa Villagómez (his dad owns part of VAR after all), Paul Aron (even if not at Hitech) and maybe Pepe Martí if Red Bull decide to keep him on after a lackluster (so far) 2024.
 
Elsewhere, I have seen rumours that Ferrari will do an Antonelli with Rafa Câmara and get him to go FRECA → F2 , though I don't feel that'll be all to likely.

Edited by Frood, 12 September 2024 - 20:13.

[Anja]

Arguably the TEN WEEK GAP is even worse now with two rounds at the end - more uncertainty about the superlicense points should someone need them.

Edited by Anja, 12 September 2024 - 20:35.

[jonpollak]

MANSEL???
no relation shirley ….
Jp

[DJH63]

MANSEL???
no relation shirley ….
Jp

Not unless Our Nige was a naughty boy down in Oz…

[jonpollak]

Which I highly doubt as Roseanne would have his incredibly large nuts in an oversized vice 24/7.

Jp

[Frood]

Sven Smeets, in this article about Zak O'Sullivan, appears to confirm Luke Browning will be with Hitech next year.

Not seeing much else about other seats as of yet, other than suggestions Paul Aron won't be returning to F2 next year.

Team            Driver 1            Driver 2
Invicta         Leonardo Fornaroli  TBC
Campos          Arvid Lindblad      TBC
MP Motorsport   TBC                 TBC
Rodin           TBC                 TBC
Hitech          Luke Browning       TBC
Prema           TBC                 TBC
DAMS            TBC                 TBC
ART             TBC                 TBC
Van Amersfoort  TBC                 TBC
Trident         TBC                 TBC
AIX             TBC                 TBC

[Frood]

Jak Crawford has been confirmed for another year at DAMS.

[Frood]

There is a Feeder Series article out about Formula 3, which also sheds some light on some possibilities for Formula 2 next year. There's also supposedly an Auto Hebdo article that has been going around with seat possibilities as well, giving us the following rumours::

The most likely ones appear to be Martí staying at Campos, Goethe staying at MP, Dunne at Rodin, Meguetounif at Trident, and Montoya at Prema.
 

Team            Driver 1            Driver 2            Rumoured
Invicta         Leonardo Fornaroli  TBC                 Roman Stanek
Campos          Arvid Lindblad      TBC                 Pepe Martí
MP Motorsport   TBC                 TBC                 Oliver Goethe
Rodin           TBC                 TBC                 Alex Dunne, Christian Mansell
Hitech          Luke Browning       TBC                 Dino Beganovic
Prema           TBC                 TBC                 Gabriele Minì, Zak O'Sullivan, Sebastián Montoya
DAMS            Jak Crawford        TBC                 Kush Maini
ART             TBC                 TBC                 Victor Martins, Ritomo Miyata
Van Amersfoort  TBC                 TBC                 Rafael Villagómez, Santiago Ramos, Amaury Cordeel
Trident         TBC                 TBC                 Sami Meguetounif, Max Esterson
AIX             TBC                 TBC                 Joshua Dürksen, Cian Shields

There's plenty of drivers in those rumours who have no business being near Formula 2, frankly. Especially Cian Shields, who failed to score points in a race-winning car in F3. Montoya at Prema would also be a waste.

Edited by Frood, 30 October 2024 - 14:35.

[Muppetmad]

Montoya at Prema would be a clear sign that the team's poor form this year has hurt its reputation in the series. He's not as bad as Sean Gelael, certainly, but he'd easily be Prema's second-worst F2 signing to date.

Edited by Muppetmad, 30 October 2024 - 14:40.

[Myrvold]

There is a Feeder Series article out about Formula 3, which also sheds some light on some possibilities for Formula 2 next year. There's also supposedly an Auto Hebdo article that has been going around with seat possibilities as well, giving us the following rumours::

The most likely ones appear to be Martí staying at Campos, Goethe staying at MP, Dunne at Rodin, Meguetounif at Trident, and Montoya at Prema.
 

Team            Driver 1            Driver 2            Rumoured
Invicta         Leonardo Fornaroli  TBC                 Roman Stanek
Campos          Arvid Lindblad      TBC                 Pepe Martí
MP Motorsport   TBC                 TBC                 Oliver Goethe
Rodin           TBC                 TBC                 Alex Dunne, Christian Mansell
Hitech          Luke Browning       TBC                 Dino Beganovic
Prema           TBC                 TBC                 Gabriele Minì, Zak O'Sullivan, Sebastián Montoya
DAMS            Jak Crawford        TBC                 Kush Maini
ART             TBC                 TBC                 Victor Martins, Ritomo Miyata
Van Amersfoort  TBC                 TBC                 Rafael Villagómez, Santiago Ramos, Amaury Cordeel
Trident         TBC                 TBC                 Sami Meguetounif, Max Esterson
AIX             TBC                 TBC                 Joshua Dürksen, Cian Shields

There's plenty of drivers in those rumours who have no business being near Formula 2, frankly. Especially Cian Shields, who failed to score points in a race-winning car in F3. Montoya at Prema would also be a waste.

 

 

I would really like to see Beganovic get an F2 seat, but I would be slightly surprised if it happens!

[Frood]

I don't rate Beganovic really, but he's preferable to a Villagómez or a Shields. Or Cordeel getting a fourth year.

[Muppetmad]

There are some decidedly "meh" drivers on that list, plus one or two who simply need to take the hint and move on (Martins, chiefly – this was the year he needed to run away with the title, and he hasn't), but there's a lot of promising talent there too. Lindblad, Fornaroli, Minì and Browning all showed well (albeit to varying degrees) in F3, and I'll be interested to see how they fare in F2.

 

Please spare us another year of Cordeel. I know he's not a liability like Nissany was, but that's damning with faint praise.

[tyker]

There are some decidedly "meh" drivers on that list, plus one or two who simply need to take the hint and move on (Martins, chiefly – this was the year he needed to run away with the title, and he hasn't), but there's a lot of promising talent there too. Lindblad, Fornaroli, Minì and Browning all showed well (albeit to varying degrees) in F3, and I'll be interested to see how they fare in F2.

 

Please spare us another year of Cordeel. I know he's not a liability like Nissany was, but that's damning with faint praise.

I think Martins has been let down somewhat by his car, his teammate O'Sullivan got sacked by the team for what reason I don't know, maybe he was critical of the team, if a team doesn't perform then it can be damaging to a drivers career as we can see with your comment about Martins.

[Myrvold]

I don't rate Beganovic really, but he's preferable to a Villagómez or a Shields. Or Cordeel getting a fourth year.

 

I am not sure I rate him that highly myself - but I guess I've fallen in the Prema-trap on YouTube. I cannot help but liking the guy. Even though he is Swedish. *Shudder in Norwegian*

[billm99uk]

I don’t see how Martins winning in 2025 would do him any good really. Best he could hope for is a reserve position in F1 with no obvious way into a race seat, hanging around with the Drugoviches and Schwartzmans of the world. Couldn’t he get that now?

[Muppetmad]

I think Martins has been let down somewhat by his car, his teammate O'Sullivan got sacked by the team for what reason I don't know, maybe he was critical of the team, if a team doesn't perform then it can be damaging to a drivers career as we can see with your comment about Martins.

I don't disagree with you, but at the same time, I don't think that changes the conclusion: Martins no longer has a path to an F1 seat, and would be better off heading elsewhere now. Alpine have opted for Doohan for next year, so there's no reason to think there'll be a seat for Martins even if he did win next year. That's before we factor in that he's 23 now, and came to F2 after two seasons of F3.

[tyker]

I don't disagree with you, but at the same time, I don't think that changes the conclusion: Martins no longer has a path to an F1 seat, and would be better off heading elsewhere now. Alpine have opted for Doohan for next year, so there's no reason to think there'll be a seat for Martins even if he did win next year. That's before we factor in that he's 23 now, and came to F2 after two seasons of F3.

If he gets a seat in F2 next year that means that Alpine is still backing him because Martins has no backing of his own that I'm aware of, that means they are aware that his relative poor performance this year is not really of his own doing.

 

Beyond that who knows what happens with the drivers at Alpine but I must admit at 23 his age starts to become a problem, Martins slow progress through the junior ranks is more about lack of backing than his talent level, in F3 he never drove in the best teams.

[Muppetmad]

I am not sure I rate him that highly myself - but I guess I've fallen in the Prema-trap on YouTube. I cannot help but liking the guy. Even though he is Swedish. *Shudder in Norwegian*

Prema's videos are pretty great at showing the funny side of their drivers. Doriane Pin's deadpan humour is so French, which I find very endearing 

[Wirdheim]

Dino Beganovic rumored for the second seat at Hitech
https://www.autohebd...rPyRPqOfd2BOLIA

[DJH63]

I don't disagree with you, but at the same time, I don't think that changes the conclusion: Martins no longer has a path to an F1 seat, and would be better off heading elsewhere now. Alpine have opted for Doohan for next year, so there's no reason to think there'll be a seat for Martins even if he did win next year. That's before we factor in that he's 23 now, and came to F2 after two seasons of F3.

I think that’s a bit overly pessimistic - Doohan will be gone after 25 (imo) and so Martins still had a chance to replace him for 26. As said, I’m sure it’s not his decision to come back to F2 so presumably Alpine must be thinking the same thing to throw cash at keeping him there.

[Muppetmad]

Given that Alpine will have data on both Doohan and Martins in the sim, I struggle to see a timeline where Doohan gets dropped immediately after 2025 and they opt for Martins for 2026. I'll concede it's not impossible, but I think there comes a point where it's to a driver's advantage to make the move to another series rather than be pushed out by circumstance.

Edited by Muppetmad, 30 October 2024 - 17:02.

[messy]

I’m still of the feeling that Martins has something, and I’m impressed with the way he’s sort of rescued 2024 after an horrific start. Maybe I’m still blinded by the hype about him from a couple of years ago, dunno. But I always saw Martins in the Alpine eventually and it would be a shame if that never came to pass. But some things just don’t.

[Myrvold]

Prema's videos are pretty great at showing the funny side of their drivers. Doriane Pin's deadpan humour is so French, which I find very endearing 

 

Prema are quite good at their YouTube-stuff, which I think is a net positive for both Prema and the drivers.

[Jellyfishcake]

Prema are quite good at their YouTube-stuff, which I think is a net positive for both Prema and the drivers.

 

Yeah, I only started watching them this season after seeing one recommended on my feed.

 

Definitely a solid thumbs up, both Prema and the drivers come off well from the videos, whether in the studio or the behind the scenes at the races stuff 

[Frood]

For what it's worth, Joe Saward's most recent blog post also seems to suggest the same rumours; the only differences being Maini at DAMS instead of Invicta, and Verschoor at MP.

I'm sure Verschoor is good enough to be paid for driving sportscars, or even try his luck stateside, so why bother paying for a fifth season in F2 at this point?

Edited by Frood, 31 October 2024 - 08:55.

[DJH63]

Given that Alpine will have data on both Doohan and Martins in the sim, I struggle to see a timeline where Doohan gets dropped immediately after 2025 and they opt for Martins for 2026. I'll concede it's not impossible, but I think there comes a point where it's to a driver's advantage to make the move to another series rather than be pushed out by circumstance.

I think it was pretty obvious Alpine couldn’t get any of their targets so Briatore installed his guy for 2025. If someone unexpected comes on the market next year obviously they’ll take them to replace Doohan but otherwise I would expect Martins in the seat, with the huge proviso that he needs to avoid the Mecachrome anvil next season.

 

For what it's worth, Joe Saward's most recent blog post also seems to suggest the same rumours; the only differences being Maini at DAMS instead of Invicta, and Verschoor at MP. Not sure what he'd be getting out of a fifth season when he can probably eke out a good career elsewhere...

Verschoor wanted an Indycar seat and demand exceeds supply so maybe not the end of the world to do another year in F2 and try again for 2026, especially as it would presumably be the paid seat at MP that Hauger is leaving.

[midgrid]

Every feeder series generation needs its Boschung.

[SenorSjon]

For what it's worth, Joe Saward's most recent blog post also seems to suggest the same rumours; the only differences being Maini at DAMS instead of Invicta, and Verschoor at MP.

I'm sure Verschoor is good enough to be paid for driving sportscars, or even try his luck stateside, so why bother paying for a fifth season in F2 at this point?

Verschoor said in Ziggo Race Cafe - where he is a regular - he will be driving open wheel next year, but not F2 or FE.

[Anja]

I think it was pretty obvious Alpine couldn’t get any of their targets so Briatore installed his guy for 2025. If someone unexpected comes on the market next year obviously they’ll take them to replace Doohan but otherwise I would expect Martins in the seat, with the huge proviso that he needs to avoid the Mecachrome anvil next season.

 

If Alpine wanted Martins in that seat they'd get him for 2025 already, it makes absolutely zero sense to sign Doohan and already plan to replace him with Martins. They already know all about their respective levels, Martins' third season in F2 won't change anything. 

Edited by Anja, 31 October 2024 - 09:54.

[Frood]

Thanks for the context, Sjon, I wouldn't have seen that otherwise.

Verschoor wanted an Indycar seat and demand exceeds supply so maybe not the end of the world to do another year in F2 and try again for 2026, especially as it would presumably be the paid seat at MP that Hauger is leaving.

I thought all the drivers in F2 and F3 were paying to be there? I find it very hard to believe a very bang average Hauger was being paid.

[DJH63]

I thought all the drivers in F2 and F3 were paying to be there? I find it very hard to believe a very bang average Hauger was being paid

Most are paying but in F2 there has been guys getting paid most seasons, usually the more experienced guys that people question why theyre hanging around and the answer is to help with setup.

[Frood]

I would really like to see Beganovic get an F2 seat, but I would be slightly surprised if it happens!

 

Good news! Beganovic has been confirmed - somewhat surprisingly - for DAMS.

 

Or maybe not!

Edited by Frood, 07 November 2024 - 10:30.

[Anja]

For now he's only confirmed for the last two rounds of 2024 though 

[Frood]

For now he's only confirmed for the last two rounds of 2024 though 

 

D'oh! I can't read.

[Myrvold]

Good news! Beganovic has been confirmed - somewhat surprisingly - for DAMS.

 

Or maybe not!

 

It is something. Anything is better than nothing!

[HistoryFan]

Invicta: Leonardo Fornaroli – ???

Campos: Arvin Lindblad – ???

MP: Richard Verschoor – ???

Prema: ??? – ???

Rodin: ??? – ???

Hitech: ??? – ???
ART: ??? – ???
DAMS: Jak Crawford – ???
Trident: ??? – ???

AIX: ??? – ???
Van Amersfoort: ??? – ???

[Frood]

Christian Mansell confirmed at Rodin for next year.

[HistoryFan]

Invicta: Leonardo Fornaroli – ???

Campos: Arvin Lindblad – ???

MP: Richard Verschoor – ???

Prema: ??? – ???

Rodin: Christian Mansell – ???

Hitech: ??? – ???
ART: ??? – ???
DAMS: Jak Crawford – ???
Trident: ??? – ???

AIX: ??? – ???
Van Amersfoort: ??? – ???

[HistoryFan]

Invicta: Leonardo Fornaroli – ???

Campos: Arvin Lindblad – ???

MP: Richard Verschoor – Oliver Goethe

Hitech: ??? – ???

Prema: ??? – ???

DAMS: Jak Crawford – ???

ART: ??? – ???

Rodin: Christian Mansell – ???

AIX: ??? – ???
Trident: Masx Esterson – ???
Van Amersfoort: ??? – ???

[Frood]

Former WEC LMGTE Am champion/LMGTE Am Le Mans winner and Corvette factory driver Nico Varrone will be testing with AIX next week as per this news article (en español)

Edited by Frood, 08 December 2024 - 21:37.

[Anja]

Lots of announcements today:

 

Browning to Hitech: https://www.fiaformu...the-2025-season

Stanek to Invicta: https://www.fiaformu...for-2025-season (why?)

Maini to DAMS: https://www.fiaformu...for-2025-season

[Frood]

I thought Stanek has run out of money twice now? Now he's moving to the championship-winning team? Huh. To be honest, I think he'll be... okay. Probably at a similar level to Maini this year.

 

I doubt Maini himself will do much of anything at DAMS, to be honest.

 

Browning might be a dark horse next year if Hitech still have their act together.

[Anja]

To be honest I'm not expecting much from the next season. Apart from the Mini/Beganovic/Browning/Lindblad/Fornaroli group it's gonna be a pretty mediocre grid and even those F3 graduates aren't 100% convincing yet. We might get a rather disappointing champion like Crawford or Verschoor. 

[SenorSjon]

F2 is now used for sponsors to get near F1. Verschoor said so last week on Ziggo. Other classes doesn't interest sponsors as much.

[Frood]

More announcements:
 
Gabriele Minì at Prema
Sami Meguetounif at Trident
 

Team            Driver 1            Driver 2            Rumoured
Invicta         Leonardo Fornaroli  Roman Staněk        
Campos          Arvid Lindblad      TBC   
MP Motorsport   Richard Verschoor   Oliver Goethe
Prema           Gabriele Minì       TBC                 Zak O'Sullivan, Sebastián Montoya
DAMS            Jak Crawford        Kush Maini          
ART             TBC                 TBC                 Victor Martins, Ritomo Miyata
Rodin           Christian Mansell   TBC                 Alex Dunne
AIX             TBC                 TBC                 Joshua Dürksen, Cian Shields, Nico Varrone
Trident         Max Esterson        Sami Meguetounif
Van Amersfoort  TBC                 TBC                 Rafael Villagómez, Santiago Ramos, Amaury Cordeel

Edited by Frood, 09 December 2024 - 15:54.

[Muppetmad]

Assuming the current team order holds, I have to think the title battle will be between Lindblad, Fornaroli and Browning as things stand.

[Jellyfishcake]

After the season we've just had.

It's hard to get excited about what is to come from F2 really, without a fundamental change to the car/series I think it's on a slow decline 

[KWSN - DSM]

Tuuka Taponen F2 next season, or stay in F3?

[Jellyfishcake]

Tuuka Taponen F2 next season, or stay in F3?

 

I thought he's doing F3 next year isn't he?

 

Stepping up from FRECA this year?

[Anja]

He's confirmed in F3, this year he's only done one round as a stand in.