Barcelona Pre-season testing for FIA Formula 2 provided a valuable opportunity to gauge the atmosphere in the paddock and hear directly from those working behind the scenes. As I walked through the garages on the second day of running, I spoke to various teams, mechanics, and managers to get a sense of their expectations for the 2025 Formula 2 season—particularly regarding the rookies and how they’re adapting.
One of the most notable observations came from ART Grand Prix, where the mechanics carried a quiet confidence. While last year’s campaign had its challenges, the team believes they have made significant improvements over the winter, with early signs suggesting a much stronger package for the season ahead. Their measured optimism hints that ART could be one of the teams to watch in 2025.
At Invicta Racing, the approach to testing was clear: lap times weren’t the priority. Instead, the team focused on refining their setup and gathering data, trusting in their long-term development plan. The belief within the garage is strong—they see themselves as genuine contenders for both titles again this season.
Prema Racing had their eyes on Sebastian Montoya, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The team was impressed with his pace and adaptation to the F2 machinery, a promising sign as he gears up for his rookie season. While there’s still plenty to learn, his early performance suggests he could be a strong competitor.
Elsewhere in the paddock, the media representative for Leonardo Fornaroli and Roman Stan?k expressed confidence in both drivers, stating that they’re expected to “do a good job” in 2025.
Meanwhile, Josh Dürksen spoke confidently about AIX Racing’s ambitions, making it clear that the team is going all-in for both the drivers’ and teams’ championships this year. Dürksen himself feels far more comfortable heading into his second F2 season, believing that AIX has the structure in place to fight at the very front.
As the testing days unfolded, these early insights provide a glimpse into the mindset of teams and drivers heading into the 2025 season. Some are keeping their cards close to their chest, while others are already setting bold targets. Either way, the stage is being set for another thrilling F2 campaign.
Image: FML
