As Formula 2 heads to Azerbaijan for the final race before a near three month break, the grid is undergoing a bit of a shake-up.
It’s like musical chairs in the paddock at the moment, with drivers moving all over the place – graduating from Formula 3, and one even getting a chance in Formula 1.
It all kicked off after it was announced Oliver Bearman would be replacing Kevin Magnussen at Haas, leaving a seat open at PREMA Racing, which was duly taken by Gabrielle Mini.
Zak O’Sullivan, who is a two-time race winner this season, also lost his ART Grand Prix drive over funding issues, before Roman Stanek lost his Trident Motorsport drive for the remaining three rounds.
Former Trident teammate Richard Verschoor sends Roman Stanek message
Stanek was 21st in the championship with just 14 points this season, but had showed plenty of promise in Formula 3.
It didn’t quite translate on track for him this season, and he has now been replaced by British Formula 3 star Christian Mansell.
He combined with teammate Richard Verschoor to place Trident ninth in the teams’ championship this season.
READ MORE: Formula 2 stars send messages to Zak O’Sullivan after funding issues cost his ART Grand Prix seat
For someone 21st in the standings, it’s most impressive that he managed to claim a victory at the Australian Grand Prix Sprint Race this season.
Verschoor took to Instagram to wish him well in the future when he said: “All the best mate,”
To which Stanek replied: “Send it in Baku,”
Which of the newcomers can expect to hit the ground running in Baku?
Gabrielle Mini, Christian Mansell and whoever replaces Zak O’Sullivan at ART will be under the microscope in Azerbaijan this upcoming weekend.
It’s a notoriously difficult track, even for the veteran driver to adapt to, so it represents a challenge of raw talent and ability to get up to speed quickly.
READ MORE: Christian Mansell makes Baku confession ahead of ‘fiery’ Formula 2 debut with Trident
PREMA and ART have excellent track records at this level, and are known for helping to give young talent the platform they need to kick on with their career.
Evidently, it could be a bit more difficult for Mansell at Trident, given their track record this season and general lack of pace.
But he has an experienced Formula 2 teammate and he will be able to learn a lot to take into the final two rounds of the season in Azerbaijan.