Abu Dhabi Tests – Day 1: Goethe fastest, Herta discovers F2

For the members of the championship Formula 2The season isn't quite over yet! Until Friday, the young wolves of the antechamber of the Formula 1 are indeed competing in three days of post-season testing at the Yas Marina circuit, which saw the 2025 season end this weekend.

This is an opportunity for some to discover new teams, like Kush Maini who joins ART Grand Prix for next season. It's also, and perhaps more importantly, a chance for drivers making their F2 debut next year to get acquainted with their new cars. This is particularly true for the champion. F3 Rafael Câmara, who made his mark from the very first day, set the second fastest time in practice.

One of the main attractions of these tests is undoubtedly the American Colton Herta. The Hitech TGR driver is taking a gamble on F2 after seven seasons in IndyCar, with the firm intention of securing the Super Licence points he needs to access Formula 1 from 2027 with Cadillac, for which he is now the test driver.

Herta finished the first day in 17th place, just ahead of his teammate Ritomo Miyata. German driver Oliver Goethe set the fastest time, one of the few drivers, along with the Invicta duo (Câmara/Dürksen), to switch to supersoft tires at the end of the day.

Formula 2 testing continues this Thursday from 7:00 AM French time. Weather conditions are expected to improve slightly over the last two days with cooler evenings, which should allow more drivers to try and set the fastest times on the supersoft tires.

F2 – Abu Dhabi Tests
Day 1 rankings

ALSO READ > What does the Formula 2 grid look like for 2026?