F1 feeder series Formula 2 launches striking new-look car for 2024 season

F1 feeder series Formula 2 has taken the covers off its new-look car for the 2024 season at Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

F2 – known as GP2 until 2017 – has launched the careers of a number of F1 stars over the years with Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri winning the title in years gone by.

The category features on the support bill at a number of grands prix over the course of the F1 season, with Monza hosting the penultimate round of the 2023 campaign this weekend.

New-look Formula 2 car revealed

Viewed as the final step before F1, F2 – a spec series, meaning every car in the field is identical in design – has aimed to replicate the form of contemporary grand prix cars since the category was launched in 2005.

After F1 introduced new-look cars in 2022, with simplified front and rear wings in an attempt to make overtaking easier, F2 has followed by launching a new-look car that will compete across the 2024, 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

The chassis is powered by a 3.4 litre turbocharged Mecachrome engine and includes the latest FIA safety innovations as well as features to ease the category’s switch to sustainable fuels in 2025.

It also features F1-style power steering in an effort to make the car more accessible to a broader range of drivers. The absence of power steering on previous iterations of the car had been regarded as a potential barrier to female competitors.

Bruno Michel, the F2 chief executive, said: “I’m very proud to present our new F2 car, which will race for the next three years. Together with the FIA, we’ve designed a powerful, challenging and safe car that will prepare young drivers for F1, and that will continue to provide great racing and a lot of overtaking opportunities, something that the fans expect from F2.

“It has been designed also to fit all types of drivers, taking into account FIA’s consideration regarding the steering effort. This is obviously key to making our sport more inclusive, by enhancing our car’s driveability and comfort.

“One of our main focuses remains costs control. So, we have kept the same engine and gearbox, and there are a lot of carried-over parts from the previous car. Finally, we made sure that the teams can manage this new car with 12 operational people, as per the Sporting Regulations.

“I want to thank our partners Aramco, Pirelli, Dallara and Mecachrome, who are key in making this car safe, reliable and the best racing machine to prepare our drivers for Formula 1.”

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Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive of F1, added: “F2 consistently delivers excellent racing and acts as an important training ground for future members of the Formula 1 grid, and by bringing the design philosophies of the two cars closer together we will support this development further.

“The new F2 car is also an important symbol for our sustainability journey as the series continues to pioneer advanced sustainable fuel which will become a part of F1 from 2026.

“I want to pay tribute to Bruno and his team as well as the FIA for our continued strong collaboration in this category. I can’t wait to see the car on track next season.”

Sauber junior driver Theo Pourchaire holds a slender 12-point lead over Mercedes-backed Frederik Vesti ahead of the final two rounds of the 2023 F2 season.

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