What does the Formula 2 grid look like for 2026?

It's a routine ballet that begins in the summer and ends in the winter, sometimes just a few weeks before the start of the season. The transfer market in Formula 2 is a tangled web that depends on several factors. First, the needs of the teams: the most ambitious target the best young talents to win the title, while others attract less highly regarded drivers, but whose financial contribution is not insignificant.

Among this second category is AIX Racing. The Emirati team is aiming for big purses rather than big talent, and it is with this in mind that it will be racing. Cian Shields for a second consecutive full-time season. The Irish-Scottishman arrived to complete the 2023 season, replacing Niels Koolen, who had only played two meetings after replacing Taylor Barnard. To support Cian Shields, AIX recruited a big name: Emerson Fittipaldi… Junior. The son of the double Brazilian world champion arrives after a lackluster season in Eurocup-3 (currently 12th) and will need time to adapt to the demands of Formula 2.

These announcements were preceded by those of Martinius Stenshorne et Nikola Tsolov. The "Bulgarian lion" finished third in Formula 3 with Campos Racing, which he helped guide to the team title. A great season that earned him a place with the Spanish team in Formula 2, numerically replacing Arvid Lindblad, whose arrival in Formula 1 at Racing Bulls seems inevitable. He will be the Mexican's teammate Noel Leon. Martinius Stenshorne, 5th in Formula 3 in 2025 with two wins and three second places, is moving into the antechamber of F1 where he will wear the colors of Rodin.

There is one name that will catch the eye on the starting grid in 2026: Colton Herta, great American hope and figure of theIndyCar, Formula 1 dream. The American has decided to put all the chances on his side by rubbing shoulders with Formula 2 drivers, with the ambition of proving that he has the level to enter the premier category. The 25-year-old driver will drive for Hitech. A team in which he will not cohabit with Dino Beganovich. Protected from Ferrari, with whom he has already driven in free practice, the 21-year-old Swede returns to DAMS Lucas Oil for his second full season in the championship. Another attraction of the season is the arrival of Nicolas Varrone in Van Amersfoort Racing. Double category winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Argentinian was driving in 2025 in the Hypercar category of the WEC with Proton Competition.

 Joshua Durksen will defend the Invicta colors next year, just like Rafael Camara, the reigning Formula 3 champion at the end of this 2025 season. He will naturally be among the favorites in the category.

Formula 2
The grid for the 2026 season

This article is updated with each announcement.

Invicta : 🇵🇾 Joshua Dürksen / 🇧🇷 Rafael Camara
Hitech : 🇺🇸 Colton herta / To be confirmed
Farmlands : (I.e. Nikola Tsolov / 🇲🇽 Noel Leon
DAMS : 🇸🇪 Dino Beganovich / To be confirmed
MP Motorsport: To be confirmed / To be confirmed
Rodin : 🇳🇴​ Martinius Stenshorne / To be confirmed
Prema : To be confirmed / To be confirmed
ART GP : To be confirmed / To be confirmed
AIX Racing: 🇮🇪 Cian Shields / 🇧🇷 Emerson Fittipaldi Jr
Van Amersfoort Racing : 🇦🇷  Nicolas Varrone / To be confirmed
Trident : To be confirmed / To be confirmed

ALSO READ > Why is Colton Herta playing his career in F2?