The 5 Biggest Problems in Formula 2 in 2024
Rookies are the talk of the town. Drivers like Franco Colapinto, Ollie Bearman, and Antonelli are making waves, revolutionizing Formula 1. However, Formula 2 (F2) is currently facing significant criticism and challenges, especially in its format.
In this article, we’ll dive into the five most pressing issues affecting the F2 championship, issues that need addressing if we want to see young talent thrive.
Formula 2 was rebranded from GP2 in 2017, with the aim of providing a more competitive, affordable championship. It became the primary stepping stone to Formula 1, awarding the most Super License points.
2024 brought a new F2 car with major aerodynamic updates, while retaining the weekend format of a practice session and qualifying on Friday, a sprint race on Saturday, and a feature race on Sunday. Despite these promising developments, several issues have emerged.
Photo: Gabriel Bortoleto on X
1. High Costs: A Barrier for Young Talent
One of the most significant challenges in Formula 2 is the enormous budget required to participate. Teams often pair a highly skilled driver with a pay driver who brings sponsorships and funding. Even with this setup, some drivers are forced to drop out mid-season due to financial constraints.
An example is Zak O’Sullivan, a Williams Academy driver, who struggled to complete his season due to a lack of funds. Similarly, Franco Colapinto had to launch a crowdfunding campaign, enlisting the help of music producer Bizarrap, just to secure his place after two seasons in Formula 3.
2. Poorly Structured Calendar
The 2024 season features 28 races across 14 events, from Bahrain in February to Abu Dhabi in December. While this sounds impressive, the calendar has significant gaps, making it difficult for drivers to stay sharp unless they race in other series. However, participating in multiple series can lead to financial strain, putting their F2 season at risk.
Additionally, F2 champions rarely secure Formula 1 seats immediately after their title wins, mainly because the F2 season ends in December, when most F1 seats have already been filled. To solve this, the F2 season should ideally conclude around September, aligning with F1’s contract announcements.
3. Technical Reliability Issues
Reliability has been a long-standing issue in Formula 2, with the single-engine supplier, Mechachrome, struggling to maintain consistent performance across the grid. Technical problems, particularly with the engine, have led to multiple race retirements, significantly impacting the fairness and competitiveness of the championship.
4. Complex Car Setup
While the new 2024 car brought aerodynamic improvements, the vehicles remain difficult to set up, particularly for teams with fewer resources. Teams with limited budgets often struggle to find the optimal setup, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their wealthier counterparts.
In addition to this, there are inconsistencies in engine performance across different cars. Drivers have reported noticeable differences, with some being lucky enough to get a “good engine,” leading to varying levels of competitiveness even within the same team.
5. Focus on Results Over Development
Lastly, there’s a growing trend of focusing too much on results and statistics rather than on driver development. The primary purpose of Formula 2 is to prepare drivers for Formula 1, but fans and media often judge drivers solely on their championship standings.
Success in F2 doesn’t always guarantee a successful career in F1. While champions like George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri have gone on to achieve great things, drivers who finish outside the top three can still develop into top-tier drivers in Formula 1, IndyCar, WEC, and other prestigious series.
In conclusion, these are the five major problems facing Formula 2 in the 2024 season. If we want to continue seeing the brightest young talents excel, these issues must be addressed.
What do you think? Are there other challenges affecting F2 that should be discussed? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more in-depth content on motorsports!
