It has become notoriously difficult for Formula 2 drivers, specifically those that finish at the front of the standings, to reach F1.
Only one of the last five champions made it to the pinnacle of motorsport the year after winning the Formula 2 title; that being Mick Schumacher.
While Nyck de Vries and Oscar Piastri eventually did make it to F1 – albeit the former’s time in the sport was short-lived – the last two champions, Felipe Drugovich and Theo Pourchaire, have been stuck on the sidelines as reserve drivers.
In 2024, it is likely to happen again, as championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto and current runner-up Isack Hadjar are unlikely to land a drive in F1.
The drivers that are getting a chance in F1 from F2 have led many to question F2 and the ‘reality’ of the championship as the frontrunners miss out while others further down the order make the step up.
F1 bosses feel the F2 standings do not reflect the ‘reality’ of the talent in the category due to their F1 performances
For the 2025 season, both PREMA drivers will be moving up to F1, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli joining Mercedes and Oliver Bearman joining Haas.
The interesting thing is that Antonelli is currently sixth in the standings, 56.5 points behind leader Bortoleto, while Bearman is even further back in 15th having struggled with the machinery at the start of the year.
READ MORE: Ritomo Miyata shares the name of ex-Formula 1 driver who ‘massively’ helped him to reach Formula 2
Franco Colapinto has been given his chance in F1 in 2024 as Logan Sargeant’s replacement at Williams. The Argentine was sixth in F2 when he received the call up.
Despite their positions in the F2 championship not being much to get excited about, all three drivers have displayed great promise with some standout performances.
Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, F1 commentator Nelson Valkenburg believes these outings have proven that the drivers’ talent are shown by their ability in an F1 car, not by the standings in F2.
“There is a growing feeling I think in the F1 paddock amongst team principals that F2 doesn’t really reflect, well the standings don’t reflect reality a lot in F2, and that the proof of the pudding is when you put them into an F1 car,” he said.
“You can see that both ways. Either the entire field is capable to do it, so you don’t look for certain aspects and drivers that are probably already linked to your brand
“Or there is something in the F2 championship, the way it’s run, the way it’s set up, the way the weekends unfold that doesn’t give you the clear picture of who’s actually the best driver in this field.
“The truth is probably somewhere in the middle but it makes it very difficult for F2 drivers to forge a path if you are not politically connected and only relying on results to get into F1. It makes it so difficult for these kids.”
Why are the frontrunners in Formula 2 not getting chances in Formula 1?
In many ways, with these promotions from F2 to F1 in 2025, it can be argued that it is more about which driver academy you are affiliated with than it is about actual results.
Antonelli and Bearman have been afforded opportunities as their respective academies – Mercedes and Ferrari – just so happened to have a seat available. Whereas for Bortoleto, who is a McLaren junior, stands no chance of getting a seat with his team due to the current drivers’ long-term contracts.
READ MORE: Why Formula 3 are ‘afraid’ of Kimi Antonelli as he prepares to make his F1 debut in 2025
Likewise, there is not likely to be a seat at Red Bull for Hadjar next year. While it is possible Liam Lawson may not get a full-time drive at RB or Sergio Perez could be sacked by the main team, it seems the Milton Keynes-based team already have their drivers for 2025.
While their position in the standings may led to questions as to why they have been promoted to F1, Antonelli and Bearman have proven that they are worthy of a seat in the sport. It seems to be that luck has been on their side with their academies that have given them this chance.