Who will ride where next year? Our information on the 2022 grid in F2

The 2021 season ending extremely late (in December in Abu Dhabi), the eleven teams which constitute the field of the Formula 2 are already in negotiations, sometimes advanced, in order to find their pilots for next year. Discussions having started since the end of the summer, certain contracts have even already been signed. Here, at present, is the AUTOhebdo information we have on the 2022 F2 grid. 

Let's start with Prema, the team that currently dominates the drivers and teams rankings. FIA Champion F3, Dennis Hauger will move up to F2 with the Italian structure, as did the two champions before him, Robert Shwartzman (2019) and Oscar piastri (2020). A logical choice on the part of both parties. According to our information, it is the Indian Jehan Daruvala, currently with Carlin, who would hold the rope to be the Norwegian's teammate, even if everything is not yet 100% settled. As a reminder, Daruvala drove for Prema in F3 in 2019, finishing 3rd in the championship. 

A duo Sergeant-Lawson at Carlin?

On the side of UNI-Virtuosi, Guanyu-Zhou is currently in his final year in F2. It has been in the air for several weeks, but he will be replaced by Marino Sato within the British team which led Callum Ilott to the honorary title of vice-champion in 2020. At his side, UNI-Virtuosi should trust to the F3 vice-champion, Australian Jack Doohan. According to our information, the Aussie and the British structure have reached an agreement.

As for Clément Novalak, he will move up to Formula 2 as expected after two years spent in Formula 3. The Frenchman has indeed signed with MP Motorsport, the Dutch structure which showed great things with Felipe Drugovich in 2020 and with Richard Verschoor in 2021. The Brazilian driver, author of three successes with MP in 2020, is also well on his way to returning home, alongside Novalak. 

Liam Lawson is expected to be a big client in 2022. © Sebastiaan Rozendaal / Dutch Photo Agency / DPPI

As for Theo Pourchaire, if he did not go up F1 next season, a seat would obviously be kept for him at ART Grand Prix. To evolve alongside him, the Burgundian team would consider bringing in Frederik Vesti, 4th in Formula 3 with the French structure, even if another choice cannot be ruled out.

At Carlin, the line-up is also becoming clearer and will be completely renewed. After a first season with Hitech Grand Prix, Liam Lawson is on course to repeat with Trevor Carlin's structure, again according to our information. He should be accompanied by Logan Sargeant, who would move up to F2 after a third season in F3 with Charouz.

At DAMS, it is still unclear, but Roy Nissany should be reappointed, probably alongside Ayumu Iwasa. Discussions were also opened with the Swiss Ralph Boschung, but the latter should also stay with Campos. New Zealander Marcus Armstrong could complete a third year of Formula 2 at Hitech Grand Prix. In any case, this is a big possibility. For his part, the Briton Olli Caldwell also has a good chance of being on the grid. Campos should welcome him.

Note that there is also talk of a rise of David Schumacher in Formula 2. Trident, which ran it in Formula 3 in 2020, is an option being considered. As a reminder, next season will begin in Bahrain at the end of March. Until then, things can obviously still change, and the other buckets continue to fill up.