Formula 2 opened its 2025 season in Australia with a weekend of impressive performance by some and difficulties by others.
The start of the 2025 Formula 2 season
The 2025 season of Formula 2 began in Australia. It was eventful as many surprises occurred on the track: drivers unexpectedly fought up in front while others experienced difficulties.
Among other problems, the drivers had to deal with unstable weather. On Sunday, it prevented them from starting the Feature race. Australia was a weekend that felt incomplete, yet still provided many emotions on the track.
Shocking Twists Before the Start
Even before the drivers were on the track, six drivers from DAMS, Rodin Motorsport, and Trident had already been penalized. The penalties were due to irregularities committed by these teams during testing. They modified certain parts of their cars to analyze airflow.
This practice was deemed non-compliant with the FIA Formula 2 sporting and technical regulations. It resulted in a 10-grid position penalty for the drivers in both races, along with a fine of €10,000.
Additionally, the teams faced exclusion from an upcoming day of seasonal testing scheduled to take place in Bahrain. The teams have also publicly apologized to their drivers, as their season has now started under unfortunate circumstances.
READ MORE: Ferrari’s 2025 Australian Grand Prix: A Disappointing Start to the Season
Prema Racing and ART Grand Prix Return Competitive
All eyes are once again on Prema Racing and ART Grand Prix. The two teams have historically challenged each other for championship victory despite their many difficulties last year.
However, when we reached qualifying in Australia, the situation was immediately better than the previous season.
Gabriele Minì took pole position, giving Prema Racing its first satisfaction of the year.
The Italian driver delivered a solid performance, setting the fastest time for pole position on the last lap, finishing one-tenth of a second ahead of Victor Martins. However, he received a penalty for impeding Jake Crawford, which caused him to lose his pole position.
Additionally, he was penalized in the Sprint Race, being dropped three positions in both instances.
While the penalty was tough, the race committee deemed it necessary to send a message to the drivers that this year, the regulations will be enforced more strongly.
The pole was thus inherited by Victor Martins, who, given the annulment of the Feature Race, could not take advantage of the promotion.
During the only race of the weekend on Saturday, Prema Racing collected points with both drivers. ART Grand Prix’s Victor Martins was forced to retire, while Ritomo Miyata finished twelfth.
Despite the difficulties in the Sprint for the French team, the performance in qualifying seems to suggest that they too, like Prema Racing, will fight back at the front in 2025.
Durksen Leaves Australia as The Championship Leader
Currently leading the 2025 Formula 2 championship is Joshua Dursken.
The Paraguayan driver started the sprint race in second position but quickly overtook Leonardo Fornaroli to take the lead.
From that point on, Fornaroli was unable to challenge Dursken, who crossed the finish line as the first winner of 2025.
The standings as we depart from Down Under, with Victor Martins earning two points for pole 📊#F2 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/VoAUGGvYgU
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 16, 2025
AIX Racing sent a strong message with this impressive performance. They appear to be much more competitive this year compared to the previous years. The potential to compete for podium finishes and victories is clear.
Due to the cancellation of the Feature Race, the only points awarded over the weekend came from the Sprint Race.
As a result, Joshua Durksen tops the standings, followed by rookie Leonardo Fornaroli, who had a strong debut in Formula 2, and Luke Browning.
The gaps between the drivers are still quite narrow, therefore, the rankings could change significantly in Bahrain this upcoming Saturday.
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Formula 2: Rain and Red Flags In Australia
Unfortunately, the weekend came to an early end with the cancellation of the feature race. While Formula 3 drivers were able to complete the race, with several interruptions, Formula 2 was not so lucky.
The Formula 2 Feature Race in Melbourne has been cancelled due to inclement weather#F2 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/DZRj9FSN0K
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 16, 2025
Too much rain made the track impractical and too dangerous for the drivers.
Throughout the Formula 2 weekend in Australia, there were many off-track moments.
Three red flags in Free Practice and three interruptions in the Sprint Race prove how complicated Albert Park is for drivers.
For instance, the gravel and tight turns are a great challenge. Some drivers have been able to overcome and exploit its potential while others have had more difficulty.
Next Round: Bahrain
Formula 2 will return to Bahrain from April 11th to 13th. It promises to be an exciting weekend that could alter the standings observed so far, as the Bahrain circuit is different from the one in Australia.
READ NEXT: Ferrari Have No Answers to “Unbelievable” McLaren Pace
Main Photo
IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 16.03.2025
