The impressive performances of Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto have proven to the world just how capable Formula 2 drivers are.
With little to no testing time in Formula 1 machinery, both have hit the ground running during their time at the pinnacle of motorsport.
They’ve ruffled some feathers, with Bearman battling seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for much of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
While Colapinto disturbed his rivals with a dramatic and magnificent three-car lunge into turn one at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Guenther Steiner believes Formula 2 car performance is ‘so much better’ now
These acts have proven just how credible Formula 2 has become as a series designed to train and prepare young talent for graduation to Formula 1.
It’s something that former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has handed them credit for, speaking on the Champ1 YouTube channel.
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“That’s why I think Formula 2, has now become so much better,” he said. “I think the cars are closer to a Formula 1 car in terms of performance.
“Simply this development is also such a developed series now that the guys really learn when they come to Formula 1, that they are prepared somehow.
“That has to be the case with Formula 2 and Formula 3 will come as it now, otherwise it won’t work that we suddenly have people who come in there and can immediately stand their ground.”
How did the Formula 2 cars become better for development?
It’s a well-known fact now that the Formula 2 cars are actually trickier drive and find the limit of than a Formula 1 car.
They offer less grip, they’re slower, and drivers have to nail the sweet spot to compete against their rivals in what is a spec series.
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Changing the regulations in 2018, and then again in 2024 has brought about positive change to the series in helping to prepare drivers for the upper echelon of racing.
Take Bearman and his PREMA teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli for example – neither of whom are in the top six of the Formula 2 drivers’ standings in 2025, but have drives in Formula 1 for next year.
That’s a testament to the strength of the field, as well as how difficult those cars are to drive as to how five drives have managed to stay ahead of those two talents this year.