Fans are in store for one of the most thrilling conclusions to a Formula 2 championship in recent memory as two drivers destined for Formula 1 go head-to-head.
Invicta Racing’s Gabriel Bortoleto – confirmed as a Sauber driver for 2025 and beyond, leads the championship by 3.5 points with two rounds to go.
Trailing him is Campos Racing’s Red Bull junior – Isack Hadjar, who held a huge lead just a few races ago and has lost all momentum.
After a near three-month break though, the playing field has levelled and with two battles in the desert to go, who is best positioned to come out on top?
Why Isack Hadjar needs to win the Formula 2 championship
After failing to score in two consecutive rounds, Hadjar has seen his 30+ point championship lead completely diminished by Bortoleto.
Even worse, the Brazilian did it while starting from 22nd and last place in the Monza Feature Race, slicing through the pack to claim victory.
It was a champion’s drive, but what makes it all the more impressive is that he has done it with a team that has little winning pedigree.
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Invicta hasn’t got anywhere near the name that Campos have for themselves, and yet the former McLaren junior has helped to lift them to new heights.
With the machinery available to him, there’s no way that Hadjar should be behind, because if he had the lead he may already have secured a Formula 1 drive for 2025.
Pressure off for Bortoleto and Invicta
Winning the championship would put his name firmly in the hat for a promotion to Visa Cash App RB for 2025.
From there, he would get the opportunity to battle with Bortoleto for the foreseeable future in a higher division – something which both of their performances warrant.
With his future already secure though, Bortoleto has little to worry about and can focus on maximising his performance safe in the knowledge that any risks that he decides to take won’t backfire on him.
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It means we might see heightened levels of aggression between the two on track, and some bold strategy calls which haven’t been seen yet.
It’s going to be a thrilling end to the season, with history suggesting that Hadjar should win, while current form going in the favour of Bortoleto.
My pick? It’s Hadjar – the kid fighting for a Formula 1 opportunity and has every bit of ability that he needs to ascend to the next level, he’s just missing the final piece (a big trophy).