Most of the Formula 2 grid is decided after the calendar has been completed, and the post-season tests have been conducted in Abu Dhabi.
For a lucky few though, their fate can be decided earlier than that with either good performances or good team relations.
Those who have a good partnership with their teams and want to remain in the series often tie contracts up early, but this week has been time for a driver to confirm his move to another team early.
Christian Mansell will be a full-time Rodin Motorsport driver in Formula 2 for 2025, the first of their seats to be taken.
Pepe Marti says Christian Mansell ‘deserved’ Formula 2 drive
The 19-year-old Australian currently races for Trident, having graduated from Formula 3 at the end of the season in September.
He’s only competed in two races – both in Baku, and he scored points on both occasions, prompting his Trident boss to call him ‘special’.
Now a team have seen his clear racing prowess and decided to lock down terms nice and early, with Rodin fifth in the constructors’ championship this year offering a good cockpit to him.
He was an outsider for the championship in Formula 3 this year, and his pace in Formula 2 so far suggests that could be the case at the very least next year.
Now one of his new rivals – who is yet to confirm where he will be in 2025, has congratulated him on securing a deal.
In a comment under Mansell’s Instagram post confirming the move, Pepe Marti said “Deserved bro.”
Will Rodin prove to be a good option for Mansell?
Rodin under their current name (formerly Carlin), are currently participating in what is their rookie Formula 2 season.
The Formula E-bound Zane Maloney is third in the championship, while his teammate Ritomo Miyata is 19th after a disappointing year.
Maloney won the opening two races of the season in Bahrain but has failed to reach the top step since, picking up a further five podiums.
The car has been competitive at most tracks throughout the season though, and it should remain that way for 2025.
If anything, they will build on the information they have gathered and should be able to utilise it to help Mansell hit the ground running in his full-time rookie season.