Formula 2, like every other motorsport series in 2023, is in full swing and, only eight races in, has been anything but a disappointment. But, that's Formula 2 for you though. With twenty two drivers trying to catch the eye of Formula 1 teams, there's going to be some excellent racing, that's for sure.
Going into the season, French driver; Theo Pourchaire, was the bookies favourite to win the championship. After finishing runner up in 2022, it's hard to bet against him. However, although the current leader of the championship, it's not been plane sailing for the ART driver. After a dominant weekend at the opening round in Bahrain, Pourchaire has somewhat "blended" into the background with numerous DNFs. You have to ask, "how is he still top of the table?" Luckily for him, when he has finished in the points, it's always been higher than 5th. Is he proving to us that consistency is key and you don't need to win everything to win the championship? Maybe. Maybe not. He needs to keep his wits about him though, as there are many races to go and plenty of other drivers waiting in the wings.
One of these drivers goes by the name of Oliver Bearman. And, I've singled him out because he's one of the biggest surprises so far this season. Others may not agree with that and rather have expected him to go well after finishing 3rd in last year's Formula 3 championship behind Victor Martins and Zane Maloney. Currently sitting 4th in the championship standings, what makes Bearman so impressive is his back-to-back wins in Baku that seem to have come from nowhere. Before the Baku weekend, the British driver was only on 3 points, a number way off the lead. And, with a weekend that would have surely increased his confidence as an F2 driver, Bearman has surely entered the chat. Pourchaire needs to keep his eyes peeled because Bearman is one of many drivers coming for the crown.
Two drivers that won't be coming for the crown are Roy Nissany and Amaury Cordeel. Both are seasoned drivers in F2 and both are currently sat on zero points with regular incident packed races. Why are they still racing in this category? Well, we definitely know that answer... They're like the present day version of Johnny Cecotto Jr and Sergio Canamasas. If you know, you know.
Moving on, let's talk racetracks.
So far this season we've really only seen street circuits, with the opening round in Bahrain being the only purpose built racetrack to appear. And, all of them, bar Australia, have appeared on the calendar before. That's right. Formula 2 went to Australia for the first time. And, that's a good thing. With F2 being centralised around Europe and the Middle East, these young drivers aren't getting a taster of tracks further a field. And, not only that, with Formula One being at the height of its popularity, F2 has also stepped into the limelight meaning fans across the world want the opportunity to see these young guns fight for a chance in the pinnacle of motorsport. Formula 2 going to Australia is doing just that. It's a good move for the sport.
Monaco, the final street circuit of the year, is up next and chaos is surely guaranteed. Can Pourchaire extend his championship lead? Can any other driver stop him? What about Bearman and the other rookies? Can any of them pull of a championship winning rookie year? It's possible. Excitement awaits us for the rest of the season. Bring it on.
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