Photo credits: Autosport

A top ten reversal for the sprint meant that Bearman was starting on pole alongside championship contender Isack Hadjar.

Most of the drivers had chosen to  start on the hard compound with only a handful deciding to start with the mediums, one of those drivers being Hadjar. 

Bearman had a good start, maintaining first place into turn one while Hadjar followed close behind. Victor Martins had an incredible start and had managed to gain four positions, moving from P7 up to P3. 

By lap 2, Hadjar was right on the rear of Bearman and managed to make the move down the inside at turn 10. Martins remained in third, but was being put under lots of pressure from Jak Crawford. Behind him was Verschoor, Aron, Goethe and Bortoleto. 

A few laps later, MP driver Oliver Goethe began to slow down as smoke began to come out from the engine. The issue and the cause of it are unknown. Due to this incident, the virtual safety car was brought out as Goethe remained on track waiting to be recovered. 

The green flag waved a couple laps later and racing resumed. The drivers using the medium compound began to struggle due to the high degradation. 

Martins who was still in P3 had created a large DRS train which ran all the way down to Kimi Antonelli in P12. 

At lap 11, Bearman was closing the gap between himself and Hadjar who was finding it difficult on his medium tyres. By lap 15, the gap was now under a second which allowed Bearman to begin using DRS down the main straight giving him more opportunities to try and retake the lead. 

With only six laps to go, Crawford finally manages to get past Martins by using his DRS advantage down the main straight. Verschoor, Aron and Bortoleto closely followed in overtaking Martins as the French driver struggled. 

Three laps left to go and Bearman continued to put pressure on Hadjar. A small mistake from Hadjar however gave Bearman the advantage going into the main straight allowing him to overtake him at turn one, the British driver now retaking the lead of the race. 

Not long after Bearman took the lead of the race, Hadjar dropped to fourth due to a spin at turn 3 which cost him vital points for the championship. Bearman's teammate Antonelli also had a collision with Kush Maini at turn one, meaning that both drivers were now pulled over on the side of the track and out of the race. 

Due to this collision, an on track safety car was brought out and led the drivers all the way to the end of the race meaning that Bearman finished first followed by Crawford and Verschoor. 

1) Oliver Bearman 
2) Jak Crawford / + 0.2 
3) Richard Verschoor / + 0.5
4) Isack Hadjar / + 0.9
5) Paul Aron / + 1.0 
6) Gabriel Bortoleto / + 1.2
7) Ritomo Miyata / + 1.5
8) Zane Maloney / + 1.7
9) Joshua Durksen / + 1.9
10) Victor Martins / + 2.8
11) Dino Beganovic / + 3.2
12) Luke Browning / + 3.5
13) John Bennett / + 4.1
14) Max Esterson / + 4.7
15) Christian Mansell / + 5.3
16) Amaury Cordeel / + 6.0
17) Rafael Villagomez / + 6.5
18) Cian Shields / + 6.9
19) Kimi Antonelli / DNF
20) Kush Maini / DNF
21) Oliver Goethe / DNF
22) Pepe Marti / DNF

Written by Kelsie Jayes

Photo credits: Formula 2

Oliver Bearman was the first driver to set a time, followed by Victor Martins. Paul Aron shortly followed and set a time of 1:37:619 which was over 4 tenths clear of Bearman. 

The drivers continued to improve their times and the clock ticked, but it was Gabriel Bortoleto who went fastest with a 1:36:914. 

However, Aron quickly responded with a lap time of 1:36:614, with Martins in second and Bearman in third. 

The cooler temperatures were cooperating well with the drivers and was allowing them to set their third flying laps of the session. This allowed Bortoleto to go fastest by 0.028s. 

Nine minutes remained of the session and the drivers made their way onto the track on brand new sets of medium tyres. 

Aron went back to the top, setting a time of 1:36:088. Bortoleto shortly followed but was unable to beat the time and remained in second place. 

The drivers began improving their times once again which saw Richard Verschoor go top with his teammate Oliver Goethe in third. Aron soon shot back up to the top with a time of 1:35:427. 

Bortoleto was able to improve his time, but only managed to go second with a gap of 0.023s separating the two drivers. 

One minute remained of the session and the drivers were now dedicated to setting the best possible lap that they could. Aron improved his lap, setting a 1:35:115 while Bortoleto remained in second and Martins in third. An outstanding lap from Dino Beganovic saw him go fourth. 

1) Paul Aron / 1:35:115
2) Gabriel Bortoleto / + 0.3
3) Victor Martins / + 0.4
4) Dino Beganovic / + 0.6
5) Richard Verschoor / + 0.7
6) Jak Crawford / + 0.9
7) Kush Maini / + 0.9 
8) Oliver Goethe / + 1.0
9) Isack Hadjar / + 1.0
10) Oliver Bearman / + 1.0
11) Kimi Antonelli / + 1.3
12) Pepe Marti / + 1.3
13) Max Esterson / + 1.6
14) Luke Browning / + 1.6
15) Ritomo Miyata / + 1.6
16) Joshua Durksen / + 1.7
17) Zane Maloney / + 1.7
18) Amaury Cordeel / + 1.9
19) John Bennett / + 2.1
20) Christian Mansell / + 2.2
21) Rafael Villagomez / + 2.9
22) Cian Shields / + 3.2

Written by Kelsie Jayes

Credits: Formula 2

High winds saw several drivers going wide, and even a couple of them getting beached in the gravel traps. Oliver Bearman was the first driver to be affected by the wind and was sent wide into turn 4, just missing the gravel before rejoining at turn 5. 

Not long after this, the newly promoted Dino Beganovic was stopped on track bringing out the virtual safety car. The young Ferrari Academy driver participating in his first F2 practice session had it cut short. The car was cleared off and the green flag was brought back out. 

Early laps with the hard compound made their way onto the board. However, it was Victor Martins who set the fastest lap with a 1:40:841. 

Hitech's Paul Aron was quick to beat that time, then championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto with a time of 1:40:366. Aron's next attempt saw him go 0.3 seconds clear of Bortoleto. 
​
Another round of laps on the board from the grid, but still it is Aron who comes out on top with a 1:38:926. 

A red flag is brought out. Williams Academy driver Luke Browning has found himself beached in the gravel at turn 9. His car was recovered and the session resumed with only 9 minutes left on the clock. Drivers begin to make their way onto the track, but find themselves focusing on not spinning or going into the gravel rather than setting fast laps. 

Three minutes of the session remain and the drivers cross the line ready to start setting fast laps. This was short-lived though as Jak Crawford finds himself spinning into the gravel during a lap as turn 14. The red flag is brought out and the session doesn't resume. This leaves Aron top of the time sheets with his time of 1:38:024. 

1) Paul Aron / 1:38:024
2) Gabriel Bortoleto / + 0.6
3) Richard Verschoor / + 0.8
4) Oliver Goethe / + 0.9
5) Victor Martins / + 0.9
6) Zane Maloney / + 1.1
7) Amaury Cordeel / + 1.2
8) Joshua Durksen /+ 1.3
9) Jak Crawford / + 1.4
10) Ritomo Miyata / + 1.6
11) Isack Hadjar / + 1.6
12) Kush Maini / + 1.6
13) Christian Mansell / + 1.9
14) Oliver Bearman / + 2.0
15) Rafael Villagomez / + 2.1
16) Luke Browning / + 2.1
17) Kimi Antonelli / + 2.4
18) Max Esterson / + 2.4
19) Pepe Marti / + 2.5
20) John Bennett / + 3.2
21) Cian Shields / + 3.5
22) Dino Beganovic / + 36.6

​Written by Kelsie Jayes

For the first time in over two months, the FIA Formula 2 Championship makes a return this coming weekend for the penultimate round in Qatar.

​Both championships are both firmly in the balance to be decided and both are set to go the distance with the drivers' and teams' champions of 2024 are to be crowned between now and December 8, when the season concludes in Abu Dhabi. 

Las time out in Baku, Azerbaijan, the championship lead changed hands in the drivers side of the competition, just like it has done in many of the rounds previously, with Gabriel Bortoleto of Invicta Racing leading the way.

Bortoleto has a 4.5 point lead in the championship over Red Bull Junior Isack Hadjar, who had a weekend to forget last time out at Baku. Bortoleto will have to combat the pressure of having the eyes of the world watching his every move, as he has a Formula 1 seat in the next two years with Kick Sauber which are to become Audi.

Hadjar will also be keen to show his capabilities with the pressures and discussion surrounding the seats at Red Bull Racing and Visa RB.

This coming weekend, there will also be four drivers on the grid that will be making their debuts in the prestigious feeder series championship this coming weekend in the form of Cian Shields, Dino Beganovic, Max Esterson and John Bennett. Departing the championship are Niels Koolen, Juan Manuel Correa, Dennis Hauger and Enzo Fittipaldi. Richard Verschoor has also been involved in the team changes and has transferred from Trident to MP Motorsport.

rmula 2 will visit a brand new venue for the championship for a decisive round and the penultimate stop on the 2024 calendar, as the season will host round 13 at the Lusail International in Qatar.

A circuit that has never been raced on by FIA Formula 2 before will present its tests and challenges for the teams and drivers as they are venturing onto something new and have not had racing experience around this circuit on a Grand Prix weekend and with the championship having two competitive standings, the free practice session will be severely important for the drivers to get to grips with the circuit.

Taking place in the Qatar capital, Doha, the Lusail International Circuit is one that presents overtaking opportunities as well as testing and tricky corners that time can be won and lost in qualifying in particular.

The track itself is made up of 16 corners and has a lap distance of 5.419km, which is equal to 3.367 miles. Despite there being good overtaking opportunities around the circuit, there is only one DRS zone and that belongs on the start/finish straight which is down into turn 1. Most overtakes are likely to be made here.

No lap record is set for Formula 2 around this circuit as there is yet to be a round of the championship hosted at this venue and therefore no laps have been set to attribute to the lap record of the championship.

In the two races to come across Saturday and Sunday, there will be many racing laps which will bring additional excitement to what has already been a fantastic campaign in the Formula 2 archives. 

In Saturday's sprint race, there will be a total of 23 laps, which will equal to a race distance of 124.637km before on Sunday, the feature race which will include a mandatory pit stop to be served will last 32 laps and will have a race distance of 173.408km.

The race director for this event was scheduled to be Janette Tan as she was the 2024 FIA Formula 2 deputy race director. This was because Rui Marques was called up to be the Formula 1 race director after Niels Wittich was relieved of his duties.

However, Thursday revealed she had been sacked and relieved of her duties too along with senior race steward Tim Mayer. Rui Marques will carry on doing Formula 2 now, due to the departure of Tan. This will be in addition to his Formula 1 duties - the first race director to do both since Charlie Whiting.

There are four drivers that are set to make their Formula 2 debuts this coming weekend at the Lusail International Circuit with many changes being made to team lineups for the final two rounds of the season.

It has been over two months since the last round in Baku, back in September and since then many drivers who were on the grid have left the championship to go on to new adventures and in their places plenty of fresh blood has been brought in.

Leaving the championship would be Dennis Hauger, Neils Koolen, Enzo Fittipaldi, and Juan Manuel Correa and all would not be racing in the final two rounds of the season at Qatar and Abu Dhabi. 

Set to make their debuts in the championship are Max Esterson, John Bennett, Cian Shields and Dino Beganovic. Richard Verschoor would also be involved in the driver lineup changes as he would transfer teams.

Verschoor would replace Dennis Hauger at MP Motorsport, vacating his seat at Trident. Verschoor's seat would be filled by American racer Max Esterson, who would make the step up from FIA Formula 3 after one full season in the championship with Jenzer Motorsport.

Esterson would be participating in the final two rounds of the season alongside Australian racer Christian Mansell, who he shared the Formula 3 grid with in 2024. Another driver who he shared the Formula 3 grid with in 2024, was British driver Cian Shields.

Shields will also make the step up to Formula 3 after his first full season of the championship where he drove for Hitech Pulse-Eight and ended up with zero points and finished 30th in the overall standings.

The Brit will take up the space at AIX Racing, alongside Paraguayan racer Joshua Durksen, who has impressed in his rookie year by taking podiums and more specifically his maiden victory last time out in Baku. Shields will replace Dutch driver Niels Koolen, who did not have the easiest of times after replacing Taylor Barnard.

Dino Beganovic would be the third driver to progress from Formula 3 to make his debut in Formula 2, in Qatar. The Ferrari Academy driver will step up to DAMS after a successful season in Formula 3 where he won twice. Beganovic will replace Juan Manuel Correa in the number eight car and he will end up partnering Aston Martin development driver Jak Crawford.

Last but not least, a chance at Van Amersfoort Racing has also occurred. Enzo Fittipaldi has departed Formula 2 for the remaining two rounds of the season to test Indycars with McLaren. In his place, to partner Rafael Villagomez, will be British racer John Bennett who will be making the jump from GB3.

Bennett finished runner up in the 2024 campaign of GB3 to New Zealand driver Louis Sharp and is 21 years of age. He will be participating in the final two rounds at Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

This round will be the final round though for Rodin Motorsport's Zane Maloney. Following Sunday's feature race, he will depart the championship to go and compete full time in Formula E. 

Track Times:

• Free Practice 29/11: 14:05-14:50
  
• Qualifying 29/11: 19:10-19:40
  
• Sprint Race 30/11: 19:20-20:05
  
• Feature Race 01/12: 15:20-16:40
  

UK Times:

• Free Practice 29/11: 11:05-11:50
• Qualifying 29/11: 16:10-16:40
• Sprint Race 30/11: 16:20-17:10
• Feature Race 01/12: 12:20-13:25

Brandon Whiteside
​Writer - F1 Journal

British racing driver Cian Shields will graduate to FIA Formula 2 with AIX Racing, for the final two rounds of the 2024 season as announced on Saturday.

Shields will come in to replace the outgoing Niels Koolen from the previous round in Baku, Azerbaijan all the way back in September. This means that Shields will make a graduation from the Formula 3 Championship after two full seasons.

The 19-year old will make the step up to Formula 2 with AIX racing and will partner Joshua Durksen for the remaining two rounds of the championship season at Qatar and Abu Dhabi with the number 25 car.

The British driver was announced to have been signed up to AIX for the final two rounds on Saturday (November 23), as the team and Formula 2 media confirmed the news via their social media channels.

Shields will make the move up from his one year spent at Hitech Pulse-Eight, in which he competed in the championship in for the 2024 Formula 3 Championship and partnered Luke Browning as one of his two teammates.

He will follow Browning up to Formula 2 and the two will both share the tracks at Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the final couple of rounds of the season, as Browning continues at ART alongside French racer Victor Martins after he replaced Zak O'Sullivan who had to step aside with funding issues.

Being interviewed by Formula 2 media, Shields said: "I'm super excited to be joining AIX Racing for the final two rounds of the Formula 2 Championship in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

I'm looking forward to this fantastic opportunity and ready to make an impact with the team, giving it everything in these last races."

Shields will start his Formula 2 journey at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar on November 29, for free practice and his first ever Formula 2 qualifying session.

Brandon Whiteside
Writer - F1 Journal

Another change for the grid for the final two rounds of the Formula 2 season, is seeing Enzo Fittipaldi being replaced by British driver John Bennett at Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR), the team have confirmed.

Fittipaldi will bow out to go and test Indycars with McLaren and will leave the sport after completing almost three full seasons in the championship. The multiple race winner will step aside for British driver John Bennett, who will make a big step up the feeder series ladder, for the two remaining rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Bennett, 21, is to drive with Van Amersfoort Racing for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 2 season, after impressing Van Amersfoort with his performance in their car, across the FIA Formula 3 post-season testing in Jerez and Barcelona. 

This was announced on Tuesday (November 26) by the team and Formula 2 media, who would announce that Bennett would replace Fittipaldi and he would be replaced by Mexican racer Rafael Villagomez, who has competed in every round of his rookie season so far.

Speaking on the hiring of Bennett and the replacing of Enzo Fittipaldi, for the remaining rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Van Amersfoort Team Principal Brad Joyce spoke to Formula 2 media.

Joyce said: "We're excited to give John the opportunity to make his Formula 2 debut in the final two rounds of the season. His journey in motorsport reflects the talent and determination we value at VAR.

"John has shown impressive skill and maturity, particularly during the post-season F3 tests, where he quickly adapted to the car and demonstrated strong pace.

"This ability to adapt quickly combined with John's professionalism has shown the team he's ready for the challenge." 

Bennett has had a stellar 2024 after finishing runners' up in the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC - only missing out on the title to eventual champion Louis Sharp. Bennett has also made appearances in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) as well as the post-season Formula 3 tests in Spain.

Speaking to Formula 2 media, on being signed by Van Amersfoort, Bennett said: "Thank you so much to VAR for the trust they have put in me with this opportunity. Earlier this year, I was able to take part in the F3 tests with VAR, and they went very well.

"The team and I feel that I am ready to take the next step up to F2 and I can't wait for the new challenge. This will be a big step up for myself, but I will be looking to learn as much as possible from these two rounds and achieve solid results with the team."

Bennett will kick start action in his Formula 2 career, with free practice at the Lusail International Circuit on November 29.

Brandon Whiteside
Writer - F1 Journal

Ferrari Academy driver Dino Beganovic has been signed by DAMS Lucas Oil for the final two rounds of the 2024 championship, the team announced on November 7.

Beganovic will graduate to FIA Formula 2 to partner American Jak Crawford for the remaining two rounds at Qatar and Abu Dhabi and will replace the outgoing Juan Manuel Correa, who has been operating the #8 car for the majority of the 2024 season.

The 20-year old will be the second driver of Prema's 2024 formula 3 lineup to make their Formula 2 debut, following Gabriele Mini, who made his debut for Prema's Formula 2 team back in Baku in September. 

DAMS Lucas Oil have taken him on board for the final two rounds of the season and it was announced by them and Formula 2 media on November 7, as part of a busy week of Formula 2 news. Beganovic's announcement came a day after Gabriel Bortoleto was announced to be at Kick Sauber for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Speaking to formula 2 media on his signing for DAMS, Beganovic said: "I can't wait to make my Formula 2 debut with DAMS Lucas Oil, who has so much history as well as tremendous drive to achieve great results.

"This feels like the natural next step in my career, and I'm ready for the challenge in an extremely competitive championship."

Juan Manuel Correa will bow out of the series after an emotional return to the podium in 2024, the first since that horrendous accident in 2019 in Belgium, at Spa Francorchamps. It was a crash that saw the tragic death of Anthoine Hubert and the horrendous injuries that Correa suffered. Correa got the podium in Spain, in a double podium for the team.

Beganovic will come into replace him and will partner Crawford in the final two rounds of the 2024 Formula 2 Championship.

On the signing of Beganovic, speaking to Formula 2 media, DAMS Lucas Oil Team Owner Charles Pic said :"We're excited to take on a talent like Dino for the remainder of the season.

"It's a step up from Formula 3 and a very competitive championship, but we're confident that with the help of the team Dino can be competitive in the final two rounds. He has an excellent racing CV, and we believe he has what it takes to fight for strong points.

"I would like to thank JM [Correa] for his efforts this season, it was a pleasure to work with him and we wish him all the best for the future."

​Beganovic will make his Formula 2 debut in Qatar, at the Losail International Circuit with action getting under way for free practice on November 29.

Brandon Whiteside
Writer - F1 Journal

Australian driver Christian Mansell has graduated to FIA Formula 2 full-time in the 2025 Formula 2 Championship after signing with Rodin Motorsport on Tuesday.

Mansell will graduate from the FIA Formula 3 Championship and will become the first full-time driver to be announced as part of Rodin Motorsport's 2025 lineup after making his Formula 2 debut at Trident in Baku, back in September.

The 19-year old would become the fifth driver out of 22 to be named in the 2025 Formula 2 grid following on from Richard Verschoor, Jak Crawford and fellow Formula 3 graduates of 2024 - Arvid Lindblad and eventual champion Leonardo Fornaroli.

It was announced by Rodin Motorsport and the FIA Formula 2 Championship official social media accounts leaving Mansell's fans excited for what is to come from the Australian as he continues his rise towards the top flight of motorsport competition.

Mansell is not unfamiliar with the setup at Rodin Motorsport. He has won multiple races with Rodin coming in the 2020 British F4 Championship as well as the 2021 GB3 Championships.

On his return to Rodin, Mansell spoke to Formula 2 media about signing with Rodin and continuing his journey up the football league ladder. 

Mansell said: "I am thrilled to be returning to Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 season. The team has always been supportive, and I am excited to be building on our past successes together. I look forward to the challenges ahead and I am ready to give my best on the track."

Benn Huntingford, Rodin Team Manager, also spoke to Formula 2 media on the signing of Christian Mansell. Huntingford said: "We are pleased to welcome Christian back to the team here at Rodin Motorsport.

"We've been impressed watching his step up to the Formula 2 Championship and know how great he is to work with from our previous seasons together. I'm looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel of the car in Abu Dhabi with us and getting our season underway."

Mansell will continue to race for Trident, the team who he made his Formula 2 debut for in Baku, as the Australian replaced Roman Stanek who left the championship after one victory in almost two seasons.

Christian Mansell's teammate has changed since his debut in Baku as Richard Verschoor has departed to MP Motorsport and in his place is fellow Formula 3 2024 driver Max Esterson. Mansell will return to Formula 2 action on November 29 in Qatar for the penultimate round of the season.

Brandon Whiteside
​Writer - F1 Journal

Dutch driver Richard Verschoor has switched to MP Motorsport for the remaining two rounds of the 2024 championship and the full 2025 season as announced by the team on November 9.

Verschoor is the most experienced driver that currently races on the Formula 2 grid and took victory in the most recent round at Baku, in Azerbaijan all the way back in September as he has spent the majority of the 2024 season with the Trident team.

The 23-year old first made his Formula 2 race debut in 2021 with his current team MP Motorsport partnering German Lirim Zendeli as he took his maiden win in Silverstone race 2. This followed the two years prior he spent with MP Motorsport in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

It was announced that he would switch teams for the final two rounds of the 2024 Formula 2 season, that will take place at Qatar and Abu Dhabi with MP Motorsport before he will compete there for the full 2025 campaign.

He will part ways with Trident after his second season with the team following one victory in Baku and two victories that he was disqualified from in Jeddah and Budapest. Replacing Verschoor at Trident for the remaining two rounds of the season is American Formula 3 points-scorer Max Esterson.

Verschoor's transfer was announced on November 9, whereas, Esterson's signing was confirmed on November 11. 

Speaking to Formula 2 media in regards to his signing with MP Motorsport, Verschoor said: "Signing up with MP for more Formula 2 feels like coming home. I spent half of my entire racing career with MP, so it means a lot to me thaendured his first full seasonof t we are able to move forward together for 2025, while also adding the two final rounds of 2024 at Losail (Qatar) and Yas Marina (Abu Dhabi)."

The MP Motorsport team principal Sander Dorsman also gave comment to Formula 2 media, regarding the signing of Verschoor for the remainder of 2024 and the full 2025 campaign.

Dorsman said: "I'm extremely happy to welcome back Richard for another season in Formula 2. We have celebrated many wins together, so it is a true privilege to tap into his wealth of Formula 2 knowledge as we head towards a new season."

Verschoor will partner Oliver Goethe as Dennis Hauger will not participate in the final two rounds of the season and Verschoor will replace the Norwegian.

As for Trident, Esterson will be preparing for a trial to show to Formula 2 teams what he is capable of behind the wheel of a Formula 2 machine, to put him in a good position to try and earn a seat in the future. Esterson in doing so makes the step up from the FIA Formula 3 Championship, where he has spent the full 2024 season competing with Jenzer Motorsport.

Esterson endured his first full season of FIA Formula 3 in 2024 as he had six trial races at Rodin Carlin in 2023 before earning a full-time drive in 2024, with Jenzer Motorsport where he achieved a highest-placed finish of sixth in the very first race of the season - in the Bahrain sprint race.

He would finish 21st in a competitive championship standings with 11 points to his name, which was above his teammates Charlie Wurz and Matias Zagazeta as Jenzer finished 10th in the standings and bowed out of the series at the end of 2024 post-season Formula 3 testing.

Esterson, 22 and from New York, spoke to Formula 2 media about the prospect of joining up with Trident to further his career and take that next step in his feeder series journey.

Esterson said: "It's great to be taking the step up to Formula 2, even if it's a little sooner than imagined. Just two years ago, I was running a Formula Ford and winning the FF Festival, and now I'm about to make my debut in Formula 2."

Speaking to Formula 2 media on the signing of Esterson, Trident's team manager Giacomo Ricci said: "We are excited to be finally working with Max in a race situation. We first met him two years ago when he was still driving Formula Fords and have closely followed his progress since then.

"He had some very strong outings this year in Formula 3, his first year in international competition, especially as he was with one of the smallest teams, and on circuits which were almost all new to him."

​

Brandon Whiteside
​Writer - F1 Journal