More details about the shape of the FIA Formula 2 championship are beginning to emerge. The FIA has been working on a project to restructure open wheel racing around the world and create a far more logical structure than what currently exists with a wide range of sub F1 and F3 style classes. The restructuring began with the hugely successful launch of the FIA F4 category, and then with the revamping of the FIA F3 European Championship (and attempts at launching an FIA F3 Middle Eastern Championship). Attention has now moved to the next level the long awaited return of a proper Formula 2 championship, and it has become clear that in terms of technical regulations at least the class will be contested by ‘baby grand prix cars’ which feature hybrid power units and F1 tyres.

The championship which is due to start in 2017 will feature at least 20 cars and 10 teams, they will contest a 20 – 24 race calendar (2 races per meeting) on at least two continents. These races will either be run as support races for major championships (WEC or F1) or as stand alone events if they are of a high quality (Pau Grand Prix, Birmingham Super Prix etc) on FIA category 2 circuits or better.



The FIA has opened the door for an existing car, perhaps from GP2, Super Formula or World Series (all Dallara’s) to be used as what it calls ’transition cars’. These cars can be used for the first two seasons of the championship before they are replaced by a bespoke set of cars which will in essence be a mini Formula 1 design, even matching the same safety standards.

In the first year that the new cars are homologated (2017, 18 or 19) they will have to meet the same crash test standards as the same years Formula 1 designs, additionally they will weigh around the same at approximately 600kg (F1 is expected to lose weight in 2017). Dimensionally the cars are likely to be slightly narrower than those used in F1 with the maximum width being set at 1,800mm and the wheelbase being between 2,800mm and 3,100mm.

Hybrid power units are to be used in the cars, producing around 600bhp and lasting around 8,000km between rebuilds. Drive will be supplied via a seven speed sequential transmission with paddle shift and a limited slip differential (one assumes to the rear wheels though this is not specified). Carbon brake discs will sit inside F1 specification wheels and tyres.

In terms of the aerodynamics of the cars the front wing will be narrower than the width of the car at 1,650mm while the rear wing will be of the current narrow type used in F1 with a maximum width of 1,000mm, though unlike F1 it will feature a lower beam element. Finally just like F1 and rather controversially DRS will be part of the package.

The cars are expected to cost just 300,000 Euro with the power units costing under 100,000 for a lease and rebuild.

What is not clear is whether Formula 2 will be a single specification class such as GP2, World Series, partially open such as Super Formula and Formula E or fully open like Formula 3, LMP1 and Formula 1. “It is important, not only to give opportunities to the drivers, but also to the teams and to the race engineers, the mechanics, to all of motorsport to grow” Stefano Domenicali, Head of the FIA Single Seater Commission told RCE. “That was the philosophy that was behind the thinking of the championship, it has to be the part of growth of the sport or all the people that are involved. Sometimes – and it may be correct – we concentrate only on the drivers, but it is important also to have the passion of engineers, the passion of mechanics and that is a great opportunity for them to be involved.”

This along with a mention that a single spec ECU is to be used suggests that both the power unit and chassis design will be open though under at least an annual homologation. But the use of single spec chassis, engines and gearboxes has also not been ruled out either. The winning bidder will receive the rights to run FIA F2 for seven years or thirteen if performance targets are met.

It is likely that the future shape of F2 will become clear this autumn, but the full blown F2 car may not hit the track until 2018.