FORMULA 2 2026 SEASON TO START IN BARCELONA
Formula 2 returns to the track with pre-season testing, marking the real beginning of the season. Over three days, from Tuesday to Thursday, drivers and teams will work to prepare for the first race in Melbourne in March.
Even if lap times don’t tell the whole story, these tests are very important. They allow us to see which teams are ready, which drivers are in good form, and how the newcomers are adapting to their teams.
A New Season, New Challenges
The 2026 grid mixes experienced drivers with rookies coming from Formula 3. Some already know F2 well and want to fight for the title, such as Alex Dunne, while others are discovering the category and will have to learn quickly, like Rafael Camara.
In such a competitive championship, starting well can make a big difference for the rest of the season.
2026 Driver Line-Up Overview
| Team | Driver 1 | Driver 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Invicta Racing | Rafael Câmara | Joshua Dürksen |
| Hitech | Ritomo Miyata | Colton Herta |
| Campos Racing | Noel León | Nikola Tsolov |
| DAMS | Dino Beganovic | Roman Bilinski |
| MP Motorsport | Gabriele Minì | Oliver Goethe |
| PREMA Racing | Sebastián Montoya | Mari Boya |
| Rodin Motorsport | Martinius Stenshorne | Alexander Dunne |
| ART Grand Prix | Kush Maini | Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak |
| AIX Racing | Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. | Cian Shields |
| Van Amersfoort Racing | Nicolás Varrone | Rafael Villagómez |
| Trident | Laurens van Hoepen | John Bennett |
Rookies Under the Spotlight
Testing will be very important for the new drivers. F2 is more powerful and more demanding than F3. They need to quickly understand the car, the tyres, and the procedures.
These three days will show who adapts the fastest and who already looks comfortable in the category.
Important Work for the Teams
Testing is not only about setting fast lap times. Teams will try different setups, work on long runs, and check reliability.
For the rookies, it will also be important to learn how to manage long runs. Unlike Formula 3, there is at least one mandatory pit stop per race in Formula 2!
First Trends Before the Season Begins
These tests will not determine the final championship standings, but they will provide early indications. Just like in Formula 3 last week, we will be able to see which teams look ready and which drivers are already showing strong pace and consistency. The 2026 Formula 2 season looks set to be very competitive.
Share this content:
