Formula 2 is a fierce testing ground for young drivers, showcasing talent and racecraft while shaping future F1 champions.
Doha, Qatar: Formula 2, the premier feeder series to Formula 1, is once again set to bring the next generation of racing stars to Lusail International Circuit (LIC) this year.
Often deemed as the ultimate proving ground for young drivers, Formula 2 delivers high-intensity, wheel-to-wheel racing where talent and racecraft are on full display – often shaping the careers of future Formula 1 champions.
Last season, LIC hosted one of the final rounds of the 2024 F2 calendar, where fans witnessed a dramatic showdown featuring Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, Zane Maloney, and Paul Aron in their hunt for the title. Bortoleto ultimately claimed the championship, ahead of Paul Aron in second and Isack Hadjar in third.
Both Bortoleto and Hadjar have since progressed to the pinnacle of motorsport, joining the 2025 Formula 1 grid – a testament to how F2 serves as the final stepping stone to F1, where every overtake, pit stop, and podium finish can shape a career.
As the 2025 season builds momentum, LIC once again takes its place as the penultimate round on the calendar, promising another weekend of intense racing.
The 5.38 km circuit, with its flowing corners and 1.068 km straight, offers a true test of driver skill – one that pushes the grid to its limits in both sprint and feature races.
Drivers to watch in 2025
This year’s F2 championship is proving as competitive as ever, with several standout talents emerging at the top of the standings:
Leonardo Fornaroli (188 points) – The Italian continues to lead the standings and remains the benchmark thanks to his consistency across both Sprint and Feature races. Fornaroli’s 2025 wins include Silverstone Sprint, Spa Sprint, Budapest Feature, and Monza Sprint. In Baku, he crossed the line third but dropped to fifth after a 10-second time penalty, losing ground in the championship fight.
Jak Crawford (169 points) – The American strengthened his championship bid with a commanding Feature Race win in Baku—his fourth victory of the year—after converting pole position and fending off Joshua Duerksen in a tense finish. Crawford’s season tally also includes triumphs in the Imola Sprint, Monaco Feature, and Silverstone Feature. As Aston Martin’s development driver, he’s now Fornaroli’s closest challenger.
Luke Browning (161 points) – The British driver remains firmly in contention. His maiden Feature Race victory at Monza and a string of consistent podiums keep him within striking distance of the leaders.
Richard Verschoor (151 points) – The Dutchman has enjoyed a strong campaign, highlighted by three wins (Jeddah Feature, Barcelona Sprint, Spielberg Feature). In Baku, he added more points with a solid eighth-place finish, keeping him in touch with the top group.
Alex Dunne (130 points) – The Irish rookie continues to shine. With Feature Race wins in Sakhir and Imola plus multiple podiums, Dunne underlines his aggressive but controlled style, cementing his place as one of the season’s breakout stars.
Further down the order, Josep Martí (112 points) and Arvid Lindblad (109 points) continue to impress—Martí with his early-season Sprint win and Lindblad with standout performances like his charge from P14 to sixth in Baku. Dino Beganovic (96 points) also made waves in Azerbaijan, adding a Sprint Race victory and a Feature Race podium to his résumé, while Roman Staněk (81 points) remains a consistent points-scorer.
Proven pathway to F1
Looking ahead to 2026, F2 drivers are already being linked to full-time F1 seats. Jak Crawford is confirmed to be in active talks with Cadillac’s F1 team for 2026, positioning him as one of the foremost candidates should an opportunity arise.
Meanwhile, Red Bull is preparing Arvid Lindblad for a likely promotion to their Racing Bulls outfit, having granted him an early superlicence and placed him behind the wheel in F1 practice sessions.
These developments underscore F2’s role as the proving ground for motorsport’s next generation.
With the new Dallara F2 chassis introduced in 2024 – lighter, more powerful, and designed to mimic modern F1 handling characteristics – drivers are developing skills directly transferable to the F1 grid.
Stage is set at LIC
As the championship battle tightens, LIC will once again provide a decisive stage. The Qatar round being the second last of the season, running as part of the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025 weekend, offers fans the unique opportunity to witness both F1 and F2 in action – seeing today’s heroes and tomorrow’s stars compete on the same track.
