In Qatar, can the four F3 drivers competing in F2 shake up the hierarchy?

If in the background of the Qatar Grand Prix F1, the title fight between Lando Norris, Oscar piastri, and Max Verstappen is raging, the championship can also be decided in F2 starting this weekend. Leader Leonardo Fornaroli sees Luke Browning and Jak Crawford not far behind him, although the Italian could already secure his title depending on the events that occur between Friday and Sunday.

Beyond the paramount importance of this event for those involved, spectators will also enjoy discovering some new faces. While their ambitions differ, discovery is the key theme of this competition. For Martinius Stenshorne and Laurens van Hoepen, Qatar will represent their second appearance in F2 after Azerbaijan, while James Wharton and Nikola Tsolov are making their early debut. More surprisingly, however, Rafael Câmara, the champion of Formula 3 and future Invicta driver in the category, will not be participating, and may not benefit from this additional testing this year.

Trident chooses Wharton and van Hoepen

Having already entrusted Laurens van Hoepen and Martinius Stenshorne to Baku, Trident is repeating the practice of using temporary players at the end of the season. With both of their starters from the beginning of the year – Sami Meguetounif and Max Esterson – having moved on to new clubs, the struggling Italian team is finishing its season as best it can.

Thus, Laurens van Hoepen (12^e of the F3 season with ART GP) and James Wharton (18^e (with the French team) will be able to become more familiar with the higher level. While the Australian has already been confirmed with Prema for the 2026 season (in Formula 3), the Dutchman has not yet been officially announced. He could, however, continue with Trident, which is looking for drivers capable of financially supporting their participation.

ALSO READ > 2025 F2 and F3 Championships – Standings before Qatar

Tsolov and Stenshorne, the pleasant surprises?

At a higher level in the hierarchy, Rodin and Campos may well have made an important strategic choice. These two teams are giving a chance to two drivers who have both been officially announced for the 2026 F2 season, and who are also talented and promising.

Fifth in F3 within the Hitech group, Martinius Stenshorne delivered a solid performance throughout the year. Winner on the Red Bull Despite being subjected to disqualifications, the Norwegian didn't exactly set the world on fire, but at only 19 years old, he demonstrated a highly valued consistency. Paradoxically, the academy McLaren The team he had been part of until then chose not to retain him – notably in favor of Matteo De Palo. Already signed by Rodin Motorsport for 2026, he will face off against Alexander Dunne in what promises to be a major challenge.

For his part, Nikola Tsolov also faces a highly stimulating challenge. After two seasons in Formula 3, the Bulgarian Lion finished 2025 as runner-up to Rafael Câmara. Hailed as Campos's future in Formula 2, the Red Bull-backed driver is about to share the garage with Arvid Lindblad. Seventh in the championship, but already tipped to become an F1 driver for the Racing Bulls team, the Briton's credibility is on the line as Red Bull prepares to announce its driver lineup for 2026.

Join us throughout this weekend, in support of the Qatar Grand Prix, to discover the performances of the four rookies in competition, and perhaps witness the crowning of the new Formula 2 champion before Abu Dhabi.