Formula 2 also resumes this weekend in Australia

The 2025 Formula 2 season is just days away from its launch, with the 11 teams heading to Melbourne for the opening round of what promises to be a fascinating campaign. On the schedule: 14 races, with the first one on Sunday and the last on December 7 in Abu Dhabi. After a long winter, the drivers had their chance for the first test of the year during pre-season testing in Barcelona.

The simple act of scoring a few points at the start of the season can be advantageous, as it provides a foundation on which to build. That being said, all 22 drivers will want to have a successful weekend in Melbourne.

Winning an initial victory is always beneficial and can provide the driver and the team with the momentum needed to sustain their efforts.

At the start of last season, a brand new car was introduced, which forced all the teams to start from scratch during pre-season testing before the first race. So, although Rodin Motorsport, winner of both events in Sakhir thanks to Zane Maloney, Invicta Racing, which secured pole position with Bortoleto, and Campos Racing, with a double podium from Josep María Martí, started brilliantly, others faced difficulties.

Review of the Formula 2 Pre-Season Tests in Barcelona

Trident: With a significantly revamped team, both in terms of personnel and drivers (Sami Meguetounif and Max Esterson), Trident and its team principal, Giacomo Ricci, display cautious optimism. After a successful 2024 season (2 wins, 5 podiums, 105 points), the team encountered issues during testing but was able to complete its program. Ricci expresses satisfaction with the work of the newcomers, while acknowledging the need for an adaptation period for the young drivers.

MP Motorsport: Bolstered by their third place in the 2024 team championship, MP Motorsport approaches 2025 with confidence. Retaining their drivers, Oliver Goethe (who participated in the last four rounds of 2024) and Richard Verschoor (who participated in the last two rounds of 2024), provides a solid foundation. With 387 laps covered, the team has focused on driver comfort and performance optimization, showing promising results in qualifying with low fuel. Goethe particularly stood out, finishing third on the first day.

Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR): After a challenging 2024 season, VAR is aiming for a comeback in 2025. The 344 laps completed in Barcelona bring optimism, and team director Brad Joyce highlights the learning gained from the tests, despite some difficulties encountered.

PREMA Racing: PREMA, the reigning champion, will look to build on the momentum of its end to the 2024 season, despite a difficult start. The victories of Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the year confirmed the team’s potential.

Hitech TGR: Hitech TGR, fourth in the 2024 team championship with Paul Aron, is enthusiastic about its new driver lineup, Luke Browning and Dino Beganovic. The goal is to fight for titles again.

DAMS Lucas Oil: after a positive 2024 season (1 win, 8 podiums, 178 points), DAMS is aiming even higher in 2025. The focus is on improving qualifying performances, as highlighted by Jak Crawford.

AIX Racing: AIX Racing, buoyed by its victory in the main race at Yas Marina with Joshua Duerksen, approaches 2025 with high ambitions. The team hopes to continue its momentum and achieve even better results. The pre-season tests have allowed for an assessment of the performance of Duerksen and his new teammate Cian Shields ahead of Melbourne.

Something new on the grid

Almost all teams will field a rookie this season, except for ART, MP, and AMS.

First stop: Melbourne

The weather could make the task a little more challenging for the drivers and teams this weekend, with forecasts predicting a high likelihood of rain on Sunday.

Although the races on Friday and Saturday should take place in hot conditions, we might have a wet main race.

It would not be the first time teams encountered a wet track in Melbourne, as the very first Formula 2 qualifying at Albert Park in 2023 took place under torrential rain.

However, this could be the first F2 race in the rain in Australia, providing a driving experience for all the racers. These conditions will test the talent and courage of the drivers on this narrow and fast street circuit.

Moreover, if the conditions are mixed, ensuring to be on the right tire at the right time will be crucial in determining the outcome, with an emphasis on communication and decision-making between the drivers and the pit wall. Whatever the weather conditions they face this weekend, strategy, as is always the case in Formula 2, will play a major role in the outcome of Sunday’s race.