Why can’t F1 drivers go back to F2?
Usually, they move on because it isn’t going to happen. F2 is expensive, and it would be almost impossible for sponsors to accept a step backwards. It’s more affordable to go onto endurance, and some people are even paid for it. Or they look for other paid opportunities like Formula E or IndyCar. When you reach Formula One, your cars are typically faster than what you’ll have elsewhere. For example, the maximum car speed in F1 is normally around 20 miles per hour faster than what you will find in F2. The lower down you get, the slower the cars are. Many F4 cars, for example, don’t go above 200 miles per hour.F1 is over 20 seconds faster than F2, and the time gap between each category illustrates the step-change in speed, grip, and driver skill required.As with F1, the costs involved in F2 are high enough to be prohibitive for many drivers who might want to race. The costs for F2 are a fair bit lower, however. In 2022 an article estimated the cost of participating in an F2 season at $3 million US, and keep in mind this has probably increased since!On the contrary, F2 cars are undoubtedly a step below F1 in terms of performance. They hit speeds up to 200 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 2. These cars are equipped with engines that produce about 620 horsepower. While still very fast, the vehicles are far from being as potent as F1 cars.
What is faster, Formula 1 or F2?
F1 cars typically qualify 12–15 seconds faster per lap than their F2 counterparts. That gap comes from superior acceleration, cornering speed, braking efficiency, and DRS-aided straights. For example: F1 Fastest Qualifying Lap (2024 Spanish GP): ~1:11. Of the 20 drivers on the 2025 Formula 1 grid, 16 of them competed in F2/F3 (or GP2/GP3 as they used to be known) en route to their F1 seat. Over a third of those drivers have graduated in the past six months, but everyone progressed through the ranks under the watchful eye of F2 and F3 CEO Bruno Michel.Since GP3 became F3 in 2019, Sophia Floersch has been the only woman to have raced in the series. She competed in the 2020, 2023, and 2024 seasons, with a best championship finish of 23rd in 2023. Michel said in the press conference that the new car was designed to be driven by “any kind of drivers”.Is there a female F2 driver? Only one female driver has ever raced in F2, namely Tatiana Calderon. This was in 2016 and 2017 when Formula 2 was called GP2. Her best finish of a race was 18th place.Some drivers bypass F2 entirely, although this is the exception rather than the rule. Max Verstappen, for example, who jumped from F3 to F1, or Kimi Räikkönen, who skipped F3 as well. Other drivers spend longer than they might like in F2.Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto are the only drivers to win the F2 and F3 titles in consecutive rookie seasons 🤩🏆 As did Charles and George with the exception that F3 was then known as GP3. If McLaren don’t bottle this season, Piastri winning the championship by a mile. The man has infinite Aura.
Is formula E faster than F3?
That is potentially faster than some might expect, whilst FE claims the bronze medal at 200 mph with the current Gen3 EVO car. F3 trails in last, unsurprisingly, with a top speed of 186 mph. One estimate puts the cost of competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship at approximately US$1. This is approximately half the cost of competing in the F2 championship. Typically, most of these costs must be paid by the driver, through personal sponsorship, or personal or family wealth.As with F1, the costs involved in F2 are high enough to be prohibitive for many drivers who might want to race. The costs for F2 are a fair bit lower, however. In 2022 an article estimated the cost of participating in an F2 season at $3 million US, and keep in mind this has probably increased since!On the contrary, F2 cars are undoubtedly a step below F1 in terms of performance. They hit speeds up to 200 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 2. These cars are equipped with engines that produce about 620 horsepower. While still very fast, the vehicles are far from being as potent as F1 cars.
Is F2 faster than old F1?
No — Formula 2 is not faster than Formula 1 F1 cars are significantly quicker due to more advanced engineering, more powerful hybrid power units, better aerodynamics, and faster acceleration. Formula Motorsport Limited, previously known as Grand Prix 2 Motorsport Limited and GP2 Motorsport Limited, is a British registered company which owns and organises the FIA Formula 2 Championship as well as its predecessor the GP2 Series.As of 2025, all teams in the FIA Formula 2 Championship compete with an identical car built around a carbon-fiber Dallara chassis and powered by a single-turbocharged Mecachrome V634 engine, which is next scheduled for an update in 2029.Formula 2 is a one-make championship consisting of 22 identical cars. The current chassis was designed by Dallara Automobili, and was introduced for the 2024 campaign. The power base for each car is a Mecachrome-assembled 3. L turbocharged V6 engine.
How does F2 compare to Formula 3?
F2 cars use a 620 hp V6 engine and feature more complex race formats (Sprint and Feature races, mandatory pit stops). F3 cars use a smaller, ~380 hp engine and have simpler rules and shorter races. F2 also introduces race strategy and tyre degradation — key stepping stones for drivers heading to Formula 1. A Formula 3 car has a top speed capability of 300km/h, with a lateral acceleration of around 2. G, going from 0-100km/h in 3. F3 uses an F1-type Virtual Safety Car and Marshalling system too.Formula 2 is faster, more powerful, and closer to Formula 1 in format and pressure, while Formula 3 serves as a development stage before reaching F2. F2 cars use a 620 hp V6 engine and feature more complex race formats (Sprint and Feature races, mandatory pit stops).Formula 2 (F2) and Formula 3 (F3) do not have power steering. F2 cars, for example, are designed without this system, requiring drivers more physical effort to maneuver the vehicle.