Formula Two, also known as F2, is essentially Formula One’s cousin. F2 is a kind of racing that was first codified way back in 1948. In 1985 F2 was replaced by Formula 3000, but the FIA revived it from 2009 until 2012 as the FIA Formula Two Championship.
The aim of the revival in F2 in 2009 was to have a series that was low-cost and that allowed younger drivers like Luciano Bacheta to compete in the top tiers of motor sport. However, at the end of 2012 MSV, the series promoter announced that the series would be disbanded as there were declining entrant numbers.
In 2015 there was another attempt at reviving the series, and the former GP2 series was renamed the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Back on Track
For many years, the Formula Two series represented the penultimate step on the world motorsport ladder. Drivers who did well in F2 were looked upon as the future stars of F1, and many fans pinned their hopes on them.
Venues like the Spain F1 Paddock Club hosted young F2 hopefuls, who could watch the F1 from a fine vantage point at events organised by https://edgeglobalevents.com/f1-paddock-club/spain/. They hoped that one day they’d be in their shoes. Now it seems like they might just have a chance, as once again the sport is being revived, amidst much interest and enthusiasm.
Onwards and Upwards
The FIA announced their plans in 2015 to give the Super License system an overhaul and thus streamline the qualifications required. They adjusted the different feeder series in order to give drivers a more structured system in which to progress.
Included in the overhaul was the plan to revive the category of Formula Two, and this was prioritised over all other competition categories. The World Motorsport Council also announced that they planned to model the F2 Championship on the European Formula 3 Championship, which had recently been revived, and the Formula 4 category, and that the series would form part of the FIA Global Pathway.
Fast forward three years and the FIA has now chosen instead to rebrand the GP2 Series as the FIA Formula 2, and racing fans are thrilled. This series is sure to attract plenty of attention and to offer younger drivers a springboard into the world of F1 via an official channel.