THE CARS
There is a whole new look for the F2™ cars this year , and they can be readily identified with pronounced curved rear-wing elements that make them stand out from the crowd . The end plates of the front wing are upwardly sculpted from the main element , also setting the look apart from the single-seater norm . Ground effect downforce has also been increased .
The car ’ s chassis has been modified to allow easier accommodation for any driver from 1.5 to 1.97m tall , and the steering has been modified with a mandatory cap on steering load . Safety has been focused upon with a stronger roll hoop and bodywork around the driver , including a front-impact structure that can absorb 50 % more energy than before .
The identical Italian Dallara-built cars weigh 785kg , including the driver , and they are powered by a 3.4-litre V6 turbocharged engine – built by French specialists Mecachrome – that produces 620bhp ( around 300bhp less than F1 ® powerplants ).
That makes them almost as quick as an F1 ® car , with a 0 – 100kph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of around 335kph . With less downforce , however , cornering speeds are slower , and drivers feel around 3.5g compared to the 4.5g experienced by F1 ® drivers .
Just like the top-category cars , these are built around a carbon fibre and honeycomb survival cell with deformable cockpit sides and the titanium halo head protection system rising from the front of the cockpit .
They do have the same Drag Reduction System ( DRS ) as F1 ®, which allows the driver to raise a section of rear wing to reduce drag and gain a boost in acceleration when within a second of the car ahead in the same F1 ® -designated zones around the track .
TYRES
As in previous years , drivers have five sets of dry ‘ slick ’ Pirelli tyres available over a race weekend . They will have three ‘ prime ’ specification sets and two of the ‘ option ’ specification – the two options are chosen by Pirelli from their range of Supersofts , Softs , Medium and Hard compounds . Each driver will also be provided with three sets of wet-weather tyres if it rains .
THE RACING
WEEKEND FORMAT
On a Friday , there is one Free Practice session of 45 minutes and one Qualifying session of 30 minutes .
One Sprint Race will take place on Saturday and will consist of 120 kilometres or 45 minutes , whichever comes first .
The Feature Race takes place on Sunday morning ahead of the Formula 1 ® Grand Prix and will consist of 170 kilometres or 60 minutes , again whichever comes first .
The Feature Race includes a compulsory pit-stop in which all four tyres must be changed . Unless the driver has used wet-weather tyres during the Feature Race , they must use at least one set of each specification of dry-weather tyres during the Feature Race .
STARTING GRIDS
The results of the final classification of Friday ’ s Qualifying session will determine the starting grid for Sunday ’ s Feature Race .
The starting grid of Saturday ’ s Sprint Race will be determined by reversing the top 10 finishers of Friday ’ s Qualifying session results .
RECENT F1 ® GRADUATES
FINISHED
DRIVER
2022 4th Logan SARGEANT
2021 Champion Oscar PIASTRI
2021 3rd Zhou Guanyu
2020 3rd Yuki Tsunoda
2018 Champion George Russell
2018 Runner-up Lando Norris
2017 Champion Charles Leclerc
2017 3rd Alexander Albon
F2 ™
POINTS
The driver who starts from pole position on Sunday , following the final classification of Friday ’ s Qualifying session will be awarded with two points . For the Sprint Race , the top eight classified drivers will be awarded 10 , 8 , 6 , 5 , 4 , 3 , 2 and 1 points , respectively . For the Feature Race , the top 10 finishers will score 25 , 18 , 15 , 12 , 10 , 8 , 6 , 4 , 2 and 1 point , respectively . In each race , one point will be awarded to the driver who , in the top 10 positions of the final race classification , achieves the fastest lap time .
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