Bortoleto/Hadjar duel, a revamped grid… Where is F2 after two months of hiatus?

If some thought it was over, the season of Formula 2 is still very much a topical issue. After its European tour which concluded with the Baku meeting (13-15 September), F2 entered a break of just over two months, the time for the F1 first performed in Singapore and then on the American continent.

So it is in Qatar that this 2024 campaign resumes its rights with a major stake that should animate this weekend as well as the final the following week in Abu Dhabi: the fight for the title between Gabriel Bortoleto (Invicta), leader since Baku, and Isack Hadjar (Campos). At the dawn of this “semi-final”, 4,5 points separate the two men, while each plays more or less big for the rest of their career.

Bortoleto assured of F1, Hadjar not yet

The Brazilian, for example, can attack these last two rounds with peace of mind since his future is already assured. Indeed, the Auriverde was confirmed a few weeks ago as a regular at Sauber from 2025. A rise that is absolutely not conditional on winning the title in the antechamber of F1.

For his part, the Tricolore does not yet know if he will join his counterpart on the Formula 1 grid next year. Red Bull, of which he is a member of his academy, still has to make decisions concerning his two teams, and depending on these Isack Hadjar could be promoted or not. Perhaps a Formula 2 title could strengthen his candidacy.

« People don't realize, but throughout my career, my adventure in motorsport has always been conditioned by good results., he confided to us last October. At the start of the season there was Bahrain where I got taken out at the first corner, then Jeddah. (Saudi Arabia) where I didn't finish a single session. I found myself 50 points behind the lead (Zane Maloney. Ed.) after two rounds, and there, we start to think that F1 is maybe over… That's really hard. The position I'm in right now is less so. I'm 2nd in F2, 4,5 points behind the leader, and there are two meetings left. That's not a difficult solution. Every time the car has worked this year, I've been able to maximize the potential. So I remain confident, and I know that the team (Campos) will give its best so that we can go for the title »

New faces and departures

In addition to the battle for the title, this resumption will be marked by new arrivals and therefore by departures. Because during these two months of break, there have been a lot of movements. Replacing Zak O'Sullivan at ART Grand Prix in Baku, Luke Browning will be there.

On the other hand, there will be 4 new faces in the paddock with the presence of Dino Beganovic at DAMS, who replaces Juan Manuel Correa, Max Esterson at Trident in place of Richard Verschoor who went to MP Motorsport to replace Dennis Hauger, Cian Shields at AIX Racing, and John Bennett at VAR who reached an agreement with Enzo Fittipaldi to end their collaboration. Also note that Zane Maloney is competing in his last Formula 2 round before starting his adventure in Formula E with Lola the following weekend in São Paulo. In Abu Dhabi, Leonardo Fornaroli, 2024 champion of F3, will replace him at Invicta.

As for Dino Beganovic, Max Esterson and Cian Shields, all are aiming for a move up to Formula 2 next season. The first at Hitech GP, the other two still at Trident and AIX Racing.

ALSO READ > Isack Hadjar – Gabriel Bortoleto: the duel of opposing destinies