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2018 Formula 2 Championship
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George Russell (left) and Carlin Racing (right) won the Drivers' and Teams' championships, respectively
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship was the fifty-second season of the second-tier of Formula One feeder championship and also second season under the moniker of FIA Formula 2 Championship, a motor racing championship for Formula 2 cars that is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It is an open-wheel racing category that serves as the second tier of formula racing in the FIA Global Pathway. The category run in support of the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship, with each of the twelve rounds running in conjunction with a Grand Prix.[1] It was the first FIA Formula 2 season to feature a new chassis and engine package.
Charles Leclerc was the reigning drivers' champion, having won the title at the penultimate round of the 2017 championship in Jerez de la Frontera.[2] Leclerc subsequently secured a Formula 1 drive with the Alfa Romeo Sauber team in 2018[3][a] Russian Time were the reigning teams' champions, having secured their first Formula 2 title at the final round of the 2017 championship in Abu Dhabi.[4] George Russell won the drivers' championship, finishing 68 points ahead of Lando Norris. In the teams' championship, Carlin prevailed over ART Grand Prix by 31 points. Champion Russell won 7 races during his season, Alexander Albon took 4 race victories, whilst 3 races were won by Nyck de Vries, Artem Markelov, 2 wins went to Antonio Fuoco, driver of new Charouz Racing System team. Other winners, who were victorious once - its runner-up Norris, Jack Aitken, Maximilian Günther, Nicholas Latifi, and Tadasuke Makino.
Changes for 2018
[edit]Technical changes
[edit].jpg)
The season saw the introduction of a brand new chassis and engine package, the biggest change in the sport's history.[5] The GP2/11 chassis, which had been used by Formula 2 and its predecessor GP2 since 2011, was replaced by the Dallara F2 2018.[6] It was powered by a fuel-efficient 3.4 litres (207 cubic inches) V6 single-turbocharged direct-injected engine developed by Mecachrome called V634T.[7] The aging naturally-aspirated V8 engine and Dallara GP2/11 chassis which were used since 2005 and 2011 respectively were permanently retired. Despite the generational change of chassis and engines, Elf would continue as a preferred official fuel partner and supplier of FIA Formula 2 Championship and also Pirelli FIA Formula 2 tyre sizes would remained same as pre-2017 Formula One tyres. In addition, the Pirelli FIA Formula 2 hard tyre colour would repainted from orange to ice blue in a reference of 2018 Formula One dry slick tyre compounds.
Sporting regulations
[edit]Teams were required to use the "halo" cockpit protection device, a wishbone-shaped frame mounted above and around the driver's head and anchored to the monocoque forward of the cockpit.[8] The halo was designed to improve safety standards by deflecting debris away from a driver's head and was originally developed for use in Formula One before its application was expanded to other open-wheel championships and it was incorporated into the final design of the Dallara F2 2018 chassis.[9][10]
Following widespread criticism of the Dallara F2 2018 for its difficult start procedure and reliability issues,[11][12][13][14][15] the championship temporarily introduced rolling starts until a solution to the car's problems could be found.[16]
Other changes
[edit]The championship discontinued the use of promotional models or "grid girls". The decision was made by Formula One management in the face of changing social attitudes and the decision by other sports to phase out the use of models,[17][18] and the decision applied to all categories appearing on the Grand Prix support bill, including Formula 2.[19]
Entries
[edit]The following teams and drivers were under contract to compete in the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship. As the championship was a spec series, all competitors raced with identical Dallara F2 2018 chassis with a V6 turbo engine developed by Mecachrome. Teams competed with tyres supplied by Pirelli.[20]
| Entrant | No. | Driver name | Rounds |
|---|---|---|---|
 Russian Time
|
1 | Artem Markelov
|
All |
| 2 |  Tadasuke Makino
|
All | |
 Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing (1–7) Pertamina Prema Racing (8–12)[21]
|
3 |  Sean Gelael
|
All |
| 4 |  Nyck de Vries
|
All | |
 DAMS
|
5 |  Alexander Albon
|
All |
| 6 |  Nicholas Latifi
|
All | |
| ART Grand Prix
|
7 |  Jack Aitken
|
All |
| 8 | George Russell
|
All | |
| MP Motorsport
|
9 |  Roberto Merhi
|
1–8 |
| Dorian Boccolacci
|
9–12 | ||
| 10 |  Ralph Boschung
|
1–10 | |
 Niko Kari
|
11–12 | ||
| BWT Arden
|
11 |  Maximilian Günther
|
1–11 |
| Dan Ticktum
|
12 | ||
| 12 | Nirei Fukuzumi
|
All | |
| Campos Vexatec Racing
|
14 | Luca Ghiotto
|
All |
| 15 |  Roy Nissany
|
1–10 | |
| Roberto Merhi
|
11–12 | ||
| Trident
|
16 |  Arjun Maini
|
All |
| 17 |  Santino Ferrucci
|
1–7 | |
| Alessio Lorandi
|
8–12 | ||
| Carlin
|
18 |  Sérgio Sette Câmara
|
All |
| 19 | Lando Norris
|
All | |
 Charouz Racing System
|
20 | Louis Delétraz
|
All |
| 21 | Antonio Fuoco
|
All | |
| Source:[9][6][7][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] | |||
Team changes
[edit]Twenty entries spread across ten teams were entered into the championship.[31] Carlin returned to Formula 2 in 2018 after a one-year absence, while former World Series Formula V8 3.5 team Charouz Racing System joined the championship. Charouz left the Formula 3.5 V8 championship when the championship was discontinued and the team subsequently submitted an entry to join the Formula 2 grid which marked the return of a Czech single-seater junior team to the second tier of Formula One's feeder championships since the 2003 International Formula 3000 season.[32] Racing Engineering were included on the initial entry list but later withdrew from the championship to focus on their European Le Mans Series entry.[31] Fortec Motorsports were due to make their Formula 2 début, replacing the departing Rapax team, but later withdrew their entry due to a lack of sponsorship.[31] Fortec were later granted permission to defer their entry by a year and were scheduled to make their début in 2019, but aborted the plans.[33]
Driver changes
[edit]Defending teams' champions Russian Time signed FIA Formula 3 European Championship driver Tadasuke Makino to partner Artem Markelov.[34] With reigning drivers' champion Charles Leclerc leaving the series to join Formula 1 team Sauber.[3] Prema Racing enlisted Sean Gelael, who left Arden International to join the team.[35] Gelael was partnered by Nyck de Vries, who drove for Rapax and Racing Engineering throughout the 2017 championship.[36] Gustav Malja, who raced for Racing Engineering in 2017, moved to the Porsche Supercup.[37]
Alexander Albon left ART Grand Prix to join DAMS where he replaced Oliver Rowland; Rowland left the series and moved to the FIA World Endurance Championship.[38] Albon was paired with Nicholas Latifi, who remained with the team for a third year.[39] ART Grand Prix promoted reigning GP3 Series champion George Russell to the category,[40] partnering him with Jack Aitken, who also drove for the team in GP3.[41] Nobuharu Matsushita, who drove for the team in 2017, left the series and returned to Japan to race in the Super Formula Championship.[42]
Ralph Boschung left Campos Racing to join MP Motorsport.[43] He was accompanied by Roberto Merhi, who previously competed in selected rounds of the championship with Campos and Rapax in 2017.[44] Jordan King, who raced for MP, moved to the United States to compete in the IndyCar Series.[45] With Gelael's switch to Prema and Norman Nato's departure to the European Le Mans Series, Arden International promoted two rookie drivers.[46] Former GP3 Series driver Nirei Fukuzumi filled one seat,[47] while Maximilian Günther—who finished second in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship and third in 2017—took the other.[48]
Luca Ghiotto left Russian Time after a single season to join Campos Racing.[49] He was partnered by series debutant Roy Nissany, who left the World Series Formula V8 3.5 to join the championship.[50] Álex Palou left the team to compete in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.[51] Trident recruited two of Formula One team Haas' development drivers. Santino Ferrucci, who had contested five rounds of the 2017 championship with the team, was signed for the season. He is partnered by Arjun Maini, who was promoted from the GP3 Series.[52] Nabil Jeffri, who raced for Trident in 2017, left the team to join the FIA World Endurance Championship.[53]
Sérgio Sette Câmara left MP Motorsport to join newcomers Carlin.[54] He was partnered by Lando Norris, who won the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship title with Carlin before making a guest appearance in the Formula 2 Championship with Campos Racing.[54] Louis Delétraz and Antonio Fuoco joined Charouz Racing System.[55][56] Delétraz left Rapax after the team withdrew from the championship, while Fuoco moved from Prema Racing as part of an agreement with Ferrari's driver development programme.[55][56]
Mid-season changes
[edit]Santino Ferrucci was banned for two rounds as punishment for multiple violations of the sporting and technical regulations—including deliberately nudging Arjun Maini on the cool down lap after the Silverstone round.[57] He was later dismissed by Trident, with the team citing sponsorship issues rather than his suspension as the reason for Ferrucci's firing.[58] Ferrucci was replaced by Trident's GP3 Series driver Alessio Lorandi for the Hungaroring round.[26]
Roberto Merhi left MP Motorsport before the Spa-Francorchamps round. He was replaced by Dorian Boccolacci, who raced for the team in the GP3 Series.[27] For the remainder of the season he joined Campos Vexatec Racing, replacing Roy Nissany.[28] MP Motorsport promoted Niko Kari from their GP3 Series team, where he replaced Ralph Boschung for the remainder of the season.[29] Dan Ticktum replaced Maximilian Günther at BWT Arden for the season finale at Abu Dhabi.[30]
Calendar
[edit]The following twelve rounds took place as part of the 2018 championship. Each round consisted of two races: a Feature race, which was run over 170 km (105.6 mi) and included a mandatory pit stop; and a Sprint race, which was run over 120 km (75 mi) and did not require drivers to make a pit stop.[b]
| Round | Circuit | Feature race | Sprint race |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
|
7 April | 8 April |
| 2 |  Baku City Circuit, Baku
|
28 April | 29 April |
| 3 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló
|
12 May | 13 May |
| 4 |  Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo
|
25 May | 26 May |
| 5 | Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
|
23 June | 24 June |
| 6 |  Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
|
30 June | 1 July |
| 7 | Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone
|
7 July | 8 July |
| 8 |  Hungaroring, Mogyoród
|
28 July | 29 July |
| 9 |  Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot
|
25 August | 26 August |
| 10 | Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza
|
1 September | 2 September |
| 11 | Sochi Autodrom, Sochi
|
29 September | 30 September |
| 12 |  Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
|
24 November | 25 November |
| Source:[59] | |||
Calendar changes
[edit]The calendar was expanded to twelve rounds in 2018.[59] The championship started at the Circuit Paul Ricard, where it was featured as part of the French Grand Prix support programme. The championship visited the Sochi Autodrom for the first time, where it ran in support of the Russian Grand Prix.[59] The stand-alone event that was held at the Circuito de Jerez in 2017 was discontinued.[59]
Results
[edit]Season summary
[edit]Championship standings
[edit]Scoring system
[edit]Points were awarded to the top 10 classified finishers in the Feature race, and to the top 8 classified finishers in the Sprint race. The pole-sitter in the feature race also received four points, and two points were given to the driver who set the fastest lap inside the top ten in both the feature and sprint races. No extra points are awarded to the pole-sitter in the sprint race as the grid for the sprint race is based on the results of the feature race with the top eight drivers having their positions reversed.[62]
- Feature race points
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | Pole | FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
- Sprint race points
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Drivers' championship
[edit]
|
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Notes:
- † – Drivers did not finish the race, but were classified as they completed more than 90% of the race distance.
Teams' championship
[edit]| Pos. | Team | No. | BHR
|
BAK
|
CAT
|
MCO
|
LEC
|
RBR
|
SIL
|
HUN
|
SPA
|
MNZ
|
SOC
|
YMC
|
Points | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | ||||
| 1 | Carlin
|
18 | 2 | 3 | 4 | DSQ | 7 | Ret | WD | WD | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3 | Ret | 17 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 383 |
| 19 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | Ret | Ret | 5 | 2 | |||
| 2 | ART Grand Prix
|
7 | 9 | 18 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 7 | Ret | 11 | DNS | Ret | 18 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 17† | 8 | 14 | Ret | 10 | 13 | 350 |
| 8 | 5 | 19 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Ret | Ret | 1 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Ret | 8 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||
| 3 | DAMS
|
5 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 2 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 7 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Ret | 1 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 303 |
| 6 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 16 | Ret | 16 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Ret | Ret | 15 | |||
| 4 | Russian Time
|
1 | 3 | 1 | Ret | Ret | 8 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 14† | 8 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 234 |
| 2 | 19 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Ret | 14† | Ret | 8 | Ret | 7 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 9 | Ret | |||
| 5 | Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing (1–7) Pertamina Prema Racing (8–12)
|
3 | 7 | 16 | 10 | Ret | Ret | 6 | 2 | Ret | Ret | 18 | 13 | Ret | Ret | 15 | 13 | 11 | 16 | Ret | 11 | Ret | DNS | 12 | 17 | Ret | 231 |
| 4 | 6 | 5 | Ret | 2 | 2 | Ret | Ret | 9 | 5 | 1 | Ret | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 6 | Charouz Racing System
|
20 | 13 | 9 | Ret | 10 | Ret | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | Ret | Ret | 4 | 5 | 17 | 9 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 215 |
| 21 | 17 | 12 | 3 | DNS | 10 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Ret | 3 | 17 | 17 | 19 | DSQ | 10 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 1 | |||
| 7 | Campos Vexatec Racing
|
14 | 12 | 6 | Ret | 14 | 4 | 5 | Ret | 10 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 6 | Ret | 14 | 3 | 9 | 132 |
| 15 | 16 | 15 | Ret | Ret | 12 | 14 | 12 | Ret | 15 | 10 | Ret | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 3 | |||
| 8 | MP Motorsport
|
9 | DNS | 11 | 8 | 7 | 13 | Ret | 3 | 7 | DSQ | 15 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 18 | Ret | 7 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 61 |
| 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | 16 | Ret | 15 | 9 | 8 | 18 | Ret | Ret | 12 | 8 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 15 | Ret | |||
| 9 | BWT Arden
|
11 | 8 | 2 | Ret | 15† | Ret | 12 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 16 | Ret | 9 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 16† | 10 | 11 | Ret | 58 |
| 12 | 18 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 11 | Ret | 10 | 11† | 9 | 12 | 9 | 9 | Ret | DNS | 10 | 6 | Ret | 17 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 7 | Ret | 12 | |||
| 10 | Trident
|
16 | 15 | 14 | Ret | 5 | Ret | 13 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 8 | Ret | 9 | 15 | 15 | Ret | DNS | 37 |
| 17 | 14 | 20 | 11 | 6 | DNS | 11 | 13 | 12† | 13 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 16 | DSQ | 14 | Ret | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 7 | Ret | 13 | 14 | |||
| Pos. | Team | No. | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | FR | SR | Points |
| BHR
|
BAK
|
CAT
|
MCO
|
LEC
|
RBR
|
SIL
|
HUN
|
SPA
|
MNZ
|
SOC
|
YMC
| ||||||||||||||||
| Sources:[63][65] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes:
- † – Drivers did not finish the race, but were classified as they completed more than 90% of the race distance.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Under the series' sporting regulations, the defending drivers' champion is not permitted to continue racing in the championship, so Leclerc would not be able to defend his title.
- ^ The Feature and Sprint races are time-certain. In the event that the full race distance cannot be completed, the Feature race will end after one hour and the Sprint race after forty-five minutes.
- ^ George Russell set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Antonio Fuoco was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Jack Aitken set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. George Russell was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Nicholas Latifi set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Artem Markelov was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Maximilian Günther set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Artem Markelov was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Ralph Boschung set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Nyck de Vries was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Sérgio Sette Câmara set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. George Russell was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Ralph Boschung set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Nyck de Vries was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Antonio Fuoco set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Luca Ghiotto was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
- ^ Sérgio Sette Câmara set the fastest lap, but did not finish in the top 10, so was ineligible to be the point-scorer for the fastest lap. Artem Markelov was the point-scorer instead for setting the fastest lap of those finishing in the top 10.
References
[edit]- ^ Howard, Tom (10 March 2017). "GP2 Series renamed FIA Formula 2". speedcafe.com. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
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- ^ a b Noble, Jonathan (2 December 2017). "Sauber confirms Ericsson alongside Leclerc for 2018". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
- ^ Kalinauckas, Alex (26 November 2017). "Ferrari junior Leclerc wins F2 finale with a stellar last lap move". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ Khorounzhiy, Valentin (16 December 2016). "GP2 aiming for V6 switch, but not wider tyres for 2018 car". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ a b Kalinauckas, Alex (20 July 2017). "Further details of next-generation F2 car revealed". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
- ^ a b Noble, Jonathan (24 November 2015). "Exclusive: Mecachrome applies for Formula 1 engine tender". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ^ "FIA to take cockpit protection to other categories". speedcafe.com. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ a b Kalinauckas, Alex (16 November 2017). "Carlin among three new teams on 2018 F2 entry list". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "New F2 car revealed, to feature halo device". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ Khorounzhiy, Valentin. "New 2018 Formula 2 car should have been delayed — Artem Markelov". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
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- ^ a b "Ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi splits with MP Formula 2 team".
- ^ a b Smith, Luke (25 September 2018). "Roberto Merhi replaces Nissany at Campos for remainder of F2 season". crash.net. Crash Media Group. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Ex-Red Bull junior and GP3 racer Kari gets MP Motorsport F2 chance".
- ^ a b "ENTRY LIST". fia.com. FIA. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
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- ^ Hudson, Joe (17 November 2017). "World Series Formula V8 3.5 to end after 2017 season". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
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- ^ Kalinauckas, Alex (27 November 2017). "McLaren's de Vries joins 2018 Prema F2 line-up". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
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- ^ "Boschung secures F2 return with MP". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ Horton, Philip (4 April 2018). "Ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi completes 2018 F2 grid". motorsportweek.com. Motorsport Media Services. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ^ Smith, Luke (4 January 2018). "Jordan King joins Ed Carpenter Racing for part-season IndyCar campaign". Crash.net. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ Klein, Jamie (8 February 2018). "FE points leader Jean-Eric Vergne adds ELMS campaign". Autosport. Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
Racing Engineering, will not participate in Formula 2 this season, is one of the new additions on the entry list with Norman Nato its only confirmed driver in its Oreca 07.
- ^ Thukral, Rachit (12 January 2018). "Honda protege Fukuzumi to combine Formula 2, Super Formula in 2018". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ Kalinauckas, Alex (13 February 2018). "Mercedes DTM junior Gunther seals 2018 F2 graduation with Arden". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ^ Horton, Phillip (30 January 2018). "Luca Ghiotto stays in Formula 2, switches to Campos". motorsportweek.com. Motorsport Media Services Ltd. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ "Roy Nissany signs Campos Vexatec Racing deal". fiaformula2.com. fiaformula2.com. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ Allen, Peter (5 January 2018). "Alex Palou to race in European F3 with Hitech". formulascout.co. Formula Scout. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ Kalinauckas, Alex (21 February 2018). "Haas F1 junior drivers to race for Trident in 2018 Formula 2 season". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (22 March 2018). "Jackie Chan DCR Confirms All-Malaysian LMP2 Lineup". Sportscar365. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ a b Thukral, Rachit (26 November 2017). "Norris, Sette Camara join Carlin F2 team for 2018". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
- ^ a b Allen, Peter (14 December 2017). "Fuoco and Deletraz to drive for new F2 team Charouz in 2018". formulascout.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ a b Khorounzhiy, Valentin (14 December 2017). "F2 newcomer Charouz signs Fuoco, Deletraz". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ Benyon, Jack (8 July 2018). "Ferrucci handed four-race ban for hitting teammate". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ Benyon, Jack (18 July 2018). "Trident terminates banned Ferrucci's contract". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d Di Zinno, Tony (6 November 2017). "F2, GP3 2018 schedules released". motorsports.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ "F2 Fastest laps". results.motorsportstats.com. Motorsport Stats. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ "FIA Formula 2 Championship Results 2018". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "2018 FIA Formula 2 Sporting Regulations" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 7 June 2018. pp. 3–4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ a b "FIA Formula 2 Championship Standings 2018". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 2 2018 Championship". FIA Formula 2 Championship. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "Team Standings for the FIA Formula 2 2018 Championship". FIA Formula 2 Championship. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
External links
[edit]2018 Formula 2 Championship
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Background
Rebranding from GP2 Series
The GP2 Series, established in 2005 as a direct feeder to Formula One following the discontinuation of Formula 3000, underwent a rebranding to the FIA Formula 2 Championship prior to the 2018 season.[8][9] On March 8, 2017, the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the transition, effective for the 2017 season onward, through an agreement between the FIA, GP2 promoters—including series director Bruno Michel—and Formula One's commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, which had recently acquired F1.[10][11][12] The rebranding aimed to integrate the series more formally into the FIA's Global Pathway for single-seater racing, establishing a standardized progression from Formula 4 through Formula 3, Formula 2, and Formula 1, as advocated by FIA president Jean Todt to enhance the motorsport ladder's clarity and governance.[13][14] This move revived the historic Formula 2 designation—previously used in European championships from 1967 to 1984 and briefly revived from 2009 to 2012—while retaining GP2's core operational elements, such as its car specifications and event format, without immediate technical overhauls.[8][9] The change emphasized FIA oversight to promote affordability, safety, and talent development as a penultimate step to F1, aligning with Liberty Media's vision for closer integration of support series with Grand Prix weekends, including shared events at 10 rounds starting in 2017.[10][11] By 2018, the second year under the new banner, the series had fully adopted the FIA Formula 2 identity, with no reversion to GP2 nomenclature in official records or promotions.[14]Standardization and FIA Objectives
The FIA Formula 2 Championship emphasized standardization through the use of identical chassis and powertrains across all entries, a policy initiated with the 2017 rebranding from GP2 to control costs and eliminate competitive advantages derived from bespoke development. All eleven teams fielded the same Dallara-manufactured chassis equipped with a 3.4-liter V6 turbocharged Mecachrome engine producing approximately 620 horsepower, supplemented by a standardized Pirelli tire allocation. This approach reduced operational expenses for teams by up to 30% compared to the prior GP2 era, where multiple chassis suppliers existed, allowing focus on driver talent evaluation rather than engineering disparities.[15][16] For the 2018 season, the series introduced the updated Dallara F2 2018 chassis, mandatory for all competitors from the opening round at Bahrain on 16 March, incorporating the halo cockpit protection device to meet evolving FIA safety standards aligned with Formula 1. The halo, a titanium bar structure designed to withstand 12g frontal impacts, marked F2 as the first FIA single-seater category to adopt it universally, enhancing head protection amid rising concerns over debris and collision risks. This specification, homologated for use through 2020, further standardized aerodynamics, suspension, and braking systems, ensuring parity and facilitating direct talent scouting for F1 teams.[15] FIA objectives centered on rationalizing the junior driver pathway to Formula 1 by establishing F2 as the premier, controlled feeder series, as articulated by FIA President Jean Todt, who prioritized a streamlined progression from FIA Formula 3 to F2 to F1. The governing body sought to foster affordable, high-intensity racing that mirrors F1 demands, including mandatory pit stops and reverse-grid sprint races, while curbing escalating costs that had plagued junior formulae. By centralizing procurement and specifications under FIA oversight—while retaining promoter Bruno Michel's operational role—the initiative aimed to sustain ten full-time teams and attract global talent, ultimately producing six F1 graduates from the 2018 grid alone.[11][8][17]Technical and Regulatory Changes
Chassis and Safety Modifications
The 2018 Formula 2 Championship introduced a standardized chassis designed and manufactured by Dallara, designated as the Dallara F2 2018, to all competing teams, marking a shift from the previous GP2-era specifications to enhance cost control, technical parity, and alignment with Formula 1 aesthetics and performance.[18] This monocoque chassis, constructed from carbon fiber composite materials, featured updated dimensions including a length of 5,224 mm—159 mm longer than its predecessor—and a weight increase of 32 kg including the driver, while maintaining a similar width of 1,900 mm.[19] [18] The design incorporated aggressive bodywork with a lower nose, wider and lower rear wing, and a curved front wing to improve aerodynamic efficiency and visual similarity to contemporary Formula 1 cars.[18] A primary safety modification was the mandatory introduction of the Halo device, a titanium structure consisting of bars encircling the cockpit above the driver's helmet, connected at the front to provide head and neck protection against debris and potential impacts.[18] [20] This addition, weighing approximately 7-9 kg, was integrated into the chassis design ahead of the 2018 season, predating its implementation in Formula 1, and aimed to mitigate risks from frontal and overhead intrusions without compromising visibility or accessibility.[19] [20] Additional safety enhancements included upgraded electronic systems, an updated Engine Control Unit (ECU) for better reliability, and integration with procedural aids like the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) and Drag Reduction System (DRS), though these supported broader operational safety rather than structural modifications.[18] The chassis underwent rigorous FIA crash testing to meet elevated safety standards, reflecting the series' emphasis on driver protection amid increasing scrutiny on open-wheel racing hazards.[19]Powertrain Specifications
The powertrain for the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship utilized a standardized setup across all entrants to ensure parity and control costs. The engine was a 3.4-litre single-turbocharged V6 unit supplied by Mecachrome, rated at 620 horsepower (462 kW) at 8,750 rpm with a maximum torque output of 570 Nm.[21][19] This represented an upgrade from the prior V8 configuration used in GP2, adopting a V6 architecture more akin to contemporary Formula 1 power units while maintaining direct fuel injection and turbocharging for efficiency and performance.[22] The engine featured a fly-by-wire accelerator system and required mandatory rebuilds after 8,000 km of operation to enforce reliability and limit development divergences.[21][23] Transmission duties were handled by a Hewland-supplied 6-speed longitudinal sequential gearbox, operated via electro-hydraulic paddle shifters integrated into the steering wheel and managed by Marelli electronics.[21][19] A ZF Sachs carbon-fiber clutch provided the connection to the driveline, with no on-board paddle adjustment permitted to standardize shifting behavior.[23] Fuel was stored in a 125-litre FIA-standard cell using Premier FT5 specification, compliant with unleaded requirements of 101.6 RON and 89.6 MON for the season.[21][23]| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Mecachrome V6, 3.4 L, single turbocharged, direct injection[21] |
| Power Output | 620 hp (462 kW) at 8,750 rpm[21] |
| Torque | 570 Nm maximum[21] |
| Gearbox | Hewland 6-speed sequential, longitudinal[19] |
| Clutch | ZF Sachs carbon[23] |
| Fuel Capacity | 125 litres, Premier FT5 (101.6 RON / 89.6 MON)[21] |
Start Procedure and Reliability Features
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship employed standing starts for both the sprint and feature races, initiated after a formation lap where drivers positioned their cars on the grid in qualifying order for the feature race or reversed top-10 qualifying order for the sprint race. Drivers were required to manage the clutch bite point manually via paddle shifters to prevent stalling upon the five red lights extinguishing, with anti-stall systems integrated into the Dallara F2 2018 chassis to assist launch consistency.[24] This procedure mirrored Formula 1 protocols but proved challenging due to the car's 620 horsepower Mecachrome V6 turbocharged engine delivering abrupt torque delivery, complicating clutch modulation for drivers transitioning from lower formulas.[25] Clutch system deficiencies in the Dallara F2 2018 led to widespread stalling incidents, affecting virtually every driver across the opening five rounds and prompting safety concerns over stranded cars on the racing line.[26] In response, the FIA temporarily mandated rolling starts—wherein cars accelerated behind the safety car before releasing for a single-file launch—for rounds 6 through 9 (Paul Ricard, Spielberg, Silverstone, and Hockenheim) to avert potential collisions.[24] Mid-season updates to clutch calibration and software, tested privately, enabled a return to standing starts from round 10 at Spa-Francorchamps, though isolated stalls persisted until further refinements.[27] Reliability features in the 2018 regulations emphasized component standardization to minimize variability and enhance durability, including a mandatory single-spec Dallara chassis with pushrod suspension, a standardized Mecachrome 3.4-liter V6 turbo engine limited to six cylinders for parity, and Pirelli tires with allocated sets per weekend to enforce wear management.[15] The engine, derived from Formula 1 technology, targeted multi-race longevity without frequent overhauls, supported by upgraded electronics for engine management and a Virtual Safety Car system to reduce stress during incidents.[23] However, empirical data from early races revealed shortcomings, including throttle motor failures causing power loss and intermittent turbo-related engine retirements, which contributed to higher-than-expected DNF rates and drew criticism from teams for undermining competitiveness.[28] Series officials implemented iterative fixes, such as revised throttle components and engine mapping, progressively improving uptime by season's end, though initial lapses highlighted calibration gaps in the new specification.[29]Sporting and Qualification Rules
The sporting regulations for the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship governed event structures, driver eligibility, and competition formats to ensure fair and safe racing aligned with FIA standards. Each championship event included a 45-minute free practice session and a 30-minute qualifying session held the day before Race 1, with qualifying determining the starting order for the feature race based on the fastest lap times recorded.[30] In cases of identical times, priority was given to the driver who set the lap first. Drivers failing to achieve a lap time within 107% of the fastest qualifying time were typically excluded from the race grid, though stewards could grant exceptions based on demonstrated pace in practice or previous events.[30] Race 1, the feature race held on Saturday, covered a minimum distance of 170 km (140 km at Monaco) or 60 minutes, whichever came first, and mandated a pit stop after lap six during which at least two wheels were changed. Drivers were required to utilize both prime and option dry tyre compounds in this race unless wet conditions necessitated otherwise, promoting strategic tyre management. Race 2, the sprint race on Sunday, spanned at least 120 km (100 km at Monaco) or 45 minutes, with no mandatory pit stop, and featured a reversed starting grid for the top eight classified finishers from Race 1 to encourage overtaking and competitive starts.[30] Points were distributed to incentivize consistent performance across both races and qualifying. For Race 1, the top ten finishers received 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 points respectively, plus 4 points for pole position and 2 points for the fastest lap if the driver classified in the top ten. Race 2 awarded 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 points to the top eight, with 2 points for fastest lap if finishing in the top eight. The drivers' championship was decided by total points accumulated, with ties broken by count of wins, second places, and so on; teams' standings summed points from both entrants per team.[30] Tyre rules allocated five dry-weather sets (three prime, two option) and three wet sets per driver per event, with mandatory wet tyre use during heavy rain under safety car conditions. Penalties for violations such as pit-lane speeding (limit 60 km/h), unsafe pit releases, or qualifying infringements included drive-through penalties, time additions, grid drops, or disqualifications, enforced by stewards to maintain integrity. At Monaco, qualifying employed a group-based system to manage track congestion.[30]Teams and Entries
Participating Teams
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship featured ten participating teams, fielding a total grid of 20 cars across the season.[31] The teams were ART Grand Prix (France), BWT Arden (United Kingdom), Carlin (United Kingdom), Campos Vexatec Racing (Spain), DAMS (France), Fortec Motorsport (United Kingdom), MP Motorsport (Netherlands), Prema Racing (Italy, branded as Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing for rounds 1–7), Russian Time (Russia), and Trident (Italy).[31][32] New entrants to the series included British squads Carlin and Fortec Motorsport, which transitioned from Formula 3 and other junior categories, alongside the return of Russian Time to the Formula 1 support series after a brief absence.[31][33] Prema Racing marked its debut in Formula 2 after dominating the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, bringing a reputation for nurturing top talent.[34] Established teams such as ART Grand Prix and DAMS continued from the prior GP2 Series era, leveraging their experience in open-wheel racing.[34] All teams utilized the mandatory Dallara F2 2018 chassis, a carbon-fiber monocoque designed for enhanced safety with features like the halo device, powered by a standardized 3.4-liter Mecachrome V6 turbocharged engine producing approximately 620 horsepower.[35] This uniform specification aimed to minimize financial disparities and emphasize driver skill over equipment advantages, aligning with the FIA's cost-control objectives for the rebranded series.[33] Teams operated under Pirelli tire compounds, with no variations in aerodynamics or power units permitted.[35]| Team | Nationality | Notable 2018 Aspects |
|---|---|---|
| ART Grand Prix | France | Veteran team with strong historical results in GP2/F2. |
| BWT Arden | UK | Competed with title sponsorship from BWT. |
| Carlin | UK | Series newcomer; promoted from British F3. |
| Campos Vexatec Racing | Spain | Rebranded with Vexatec sponsorship. |
| DAMS | France | Known for developing Formula 1 prospects. |
| Fortec Motorsport | UK | Debutant; experienced in junior single-seaters. |
| MP Motorsport | Netherlands | Continued from GP2 with midfield focus. |
| Prema Racing | Italy | F2 debut after F3 dominance; early sponsor tie-up. |
| Russian Time | Russia | Returned to F1 support bill; prior teams' champion. |
| Trident | Italy | Long-term series participant. |
Pre-Season Driver Lineups
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship featured ten teams, each entering two cars with Dallara F2 2018 chassis powered by Mecachrome engines. Pre-season driver announcements were completed by early March 2018, ahead of the season opener in Bahrain on 6-8 April. Several teams paired experienced drivers with rookies or juniors from major programs, while budget constraints led to shared seats in lower-midfield squads like MP Motorsport, Arden International, Campos Racing, and Trident. Notable pairings included Mercedes junior George Russell with Jack Aitken at ART Grand Prix, McLaren protégé Lando Norris alongside Sérgio Sette Câmara at newcomer Carlin, and Prema Racing's mix of Nyck de Vries and Sean Gelael.[36][37][38] The grid emphasized youth development, with 14 rookies among the 20 primary seats, supported by affiliations like Ferrari (Antonio Fuoco at Charouz), Honda (Nirei Fukuzumi at Arden), and Renault (Aitken). Returning GP2/F2 veterans such as Luca Ghiotto (Campos) and Artem Markelov (Russian Time) provided stability. Initial lineups reflected strategic team choices for the standardized equipment era, though some seats like DAMS' #5 evolved post-announcement with Alexander Albon's short-term stint.[39][40][41]| Team | Car #1 Driver (Nationality) | Car #2 Driver (Nationality) |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Time | Artem Markelov (Russia) | Tadasuke Makino (Japan) |
| Prema Racing | Sean Gelael (Indonesia) | Nyck de Vries (Netherlands) |
| DAMS | Alexander Albon (United Kingdom/Thailand) | Nicholas Latifi (Canada) |
| ART Grand Prix | Jack Aitken (United Kingdom) | George Russell (United Kingdom) |
| MP Motorsport | Roberto Merhi (Spain) / Dorian Boccolacci (France) | Ralph Boschung (Switzerland) / Niko Kari (Finland) |
| Arden International | Maximilian Günther (Germany) / Daniel Ticktum (United Kingdom) | Nirei Fukuzumi (Japan) |
| Campos Racing | Luca Ghiotto (Italy) | Roy Nissany (Israel) / Roberto Merhi (Spain) |
| Trident | Arjun Maini (India) | Santino Ferrucci (United States) / Alessio Lorandi (Italy) |
| Carlin | Sérgio Sette Câmara (Brazil) | Lando Norris (United Kingdom) |
| Charouz Racing System | Louis Delétraz (Switzerland) | Antonio Fuoco (Italy) |
Mid-Season Driver Substitutions
Trident terminated the contract of Santino Ferrucci following his four-race ban imposed by the FIA stewards after the British round on July 8, 2018, for deliberately colliding with teammate Arjun Maini post-sprint race and additional breaches including using a mobile phone in the car.[44][45] Alessio Lorandi, Trident's GP3 Series driver who had scored a podium in the series' opening four rounds, was elevated to the Formula 2 seat for the remainder of the season starting at the Hungaroring event (July 27–29).[46] Lorandi contested six rounds, achieving a best finish of 12th in the feature race at Spa-Francorchamps.[47] Alexander Albon switched from ART Grand Prix to DAMS midway through the season after the Monaco round, replacing Oliver Rowland who exited the series to pursue opportunities in the FIA World Endurance Championship.[48] The transfer, effective for the Paul Ricard round (June 22–24), aligned with Albon securing additional budget support and propelled his performance, yielding four victories and third place in the drivers' standings.[49] Campos Vexatec Racing replaced Roy Nissany with Roberto Merhi ahead of the Sochi round, announced on September 25, 2018.[50] Merhi, who had competed earlier in the season with MP Motorsport (scoring 26 points across 10 rounds), brought prior Formula 1 experience from Manor in 2015 and debuted for Campos at the preceding Spanish Grand Prix in 2017.[51] He finished 12th in the Sochi sprint race and accumulated seven points in the two events.[52]| Team | Outgoing Driver | Incoming Driver | Rounds Replaced | Primary Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident | Santino Ferrucci | Alessio Lorandi | 7–12 (Hungaroring–Abu Dhabi) | Ban for unsportsmanlike conduct |
| DAMS | Oliver Rowland | Alexander Albon | 5–12 (Paul Ricard–Abu Dhabi) | Rowland's departure for WEC |
| Campos | Roy Nissany | Roberto Merhi | 11–12 (Sochi–Abu Dhabi) | Team decision on lineup |
Calendar and Schedule
Event Locations and Dates
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship comprised 12 rounds contested at circuits worldwide, primarily as support races to the Formula One World Championship, spanning from 6–8 April in Bahrain to 23–25 November in the United Arab Emirates.[2] The calendar introduced two new venues—Circuit Paul Ricard in France and Sochi Autodrom in Russia—expanding to 12 events from 11 in 2017, with a mix of four flyaway rounds and eight European venues to balance logistics and racing demands.[2][53]| Round | Dates | Circuit | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6–8 April | Bahrain International Circuit | Sakhir, Bahrain |
| 2 | 27–29 April | Baku City Circuit | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| 3 | 11–13 May | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Montmeló, Spain |
| 4 | 24–26 May | Circuit de Monaco | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
| 5 | 22–24 June | Circuit Paul Ricard | Le Castellet, France |
| 6 | 29 June–1 July | Red Bull Ring | Spielberg, Austria |
| 7 | 6–8 July | Silverstone Circuit | Silverstone, United Kingdom |
| 8 | 27–29 July | Hungaroring | Mogyoród, Hungary |
| 9 | 24–26 August | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Stavelot, Belgium |
| 10 | 31 August–2 September | Autodromo Nazionale Monza | Monza, Italy |
| 11 | 28–30 September | Sochi Autodrom | Sochi, Russia |
| 12 | 23–25 November | Yas Marina Circuit | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Calendar Adjustments from 2017
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship expanded its calendar to 12 double-header rounds from 11 in the previous year, marking the first 12-round schedule since 2012.[54] This increase aligned all events exclusively with Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, eliminating the standalone Jerez round that had been introduced in 2017 as the series' only non-F1 support event.[2] [55] To achieve full synchronization with the F1 calendar, two new venues were added: Circuit Paul Ricard for June 22–24, coinciding with the revived French Grand Prix, and Sochi Autodrom for September 21–23, supporting the Russian Grand Prix.[53] These inclusions offset the removal of Jerez (September 22–24 in 2017), ensuring broader geographical coverage while prioritizing F1 co-location for logistical efficiency and visibility.[54] Several event dates were also adjusted for better alignment: the Bahrain opener shifted earlier to April 6–8 from April 14–16; Baku moved to April 27–29 from June 23–25; and Spa-Francorchamps advanced to August 24–26 from August 25–27.[1] [56] The season finale remained at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi on November 23–25, consistent with 2017's November 24–26 timing.[1] These modifications reflected the series' rebranding emphasis on serving as a direct F1 feeder, with no independent races to streamline operations and reduce costs.[2]Season Progression and Results
Round-by-Round Summaries
The opening round at the Bahrain International Circuit on 7–8 April saw Lando Norris secure pole position and victory in the feature race for Carlin, leading every lap ahead of Antonio Fuoco and Roberto Merhi.[57] Artem Markelov won the sprint race from eighth on the reversed grid for Russian Time, capitalizing on incidents including a collision involving polesitter Norris.[57] Norris assumed the drivers' championship lead with 25 points from the feature win and fastest lap. In the second round at Baku City Circuit on 27–29 April, Alexander Albon claimed the feature race win for DAMS after starting from pole, fending off challenges in a race marred by safety cars due to debris and crashes.[58] George Russell dominated the sprint race from reverse-grid pole for ART Grand Prix, extending his early momentum.[58] Norris retained the championship lead, but Albon's haul narrowed the gap. Round three at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 11–13 May featured George Russell's first feature race victory for ART, recovering from a poor start to overtake early leader Albon under strategy differing pit stops.[59] Jack Aitken took his maiden sprint win for Campos from fourth on the grid, holding off Sean Gelael amid tire management challenges.[59] Russell's result propelled him into contention, while Norris's consistency kept him atop the standings. At Monaco on 24–26 May, qualifying splits into groups due to track limits yielded a tight field; Artem Markelov won the feature race for Russian Time, navigating the narrow street circuit without error ahead of polesitter Albon.[60] Antonio Fuoco claimed the sprint from reverse pole for Charouz Racing System, benefiting from a clean start in a crash-free race.[60] The round highlighted the series' new Dallara F2 2018 chassis reliability under Monaco's demanding conditions. The fifth round at Circuit Paul Ricard on 22–24 June delivered George Russell's second feature win for ART from pole, mastering variable weather and alternate tire strategies to pull away from Albon.[61] Nyck de Vries secured Prema's first victory of the season in the sprint race, starting from eighth and overtaking under dry conditions.[61] Russell overtook Norris for the championship lead post-round. In Austria at Red Bull Ring on 29 June–1 July, a standing start aborted due to a formation lap incident led to a rolling start; Russell converted pole to feature win for ART, building a gap despite safety car interruptions.[62] Markelov repeated his sprint success for Russian Time from reverse pole.[62] Russell extended his lead to 13 points over Norris. Round seven at Silverstone on 6–8 July saw Albon triumph in the feature race for DAMS from third, capitalizing on Russell's pit strategy error.[63] Maximilian Günther claimed Arden's home sprint win from fourth on the grid, holding off late charges in damp conditions.[63] Despite the setback, Russell maintained a slim advantage. At Hungaroring on 27–29 July, de Vries won the feature for Prema, executing a one-stop strategy effectively on the twisty layout.[64] Albon took sprint honors from second on the reversed grid for DAMS.[64] Russell's points from qualifying and positions solidified his lead to 12 over Albon. Spa-Francorchamps on 24–26 August produced de Vries's second feature victory for Prema amid changeable weather, starting from fourth.[65] Nicholas Latifi won the sprint for DAMS from reverse pole.[65] The round underscored Prema's strategic prowess, with de Vries climbing the standings. In Monza on 31 August–2 September, Tadasuke Makino achieved a surprise feature win for Russian Time via an alternate pit strategy, finishing ahead of teammate Markelov.[66] Russell rebounded to sprint victory from reverse pole for ART.[66] High-speed incidents tested the halo's debut effectiveness. Sochi Autodrom on 28–30 September saw Albon's feature triumph for DAMS from second, closing on Russell in the title fight.[67] Russell responded with sprint dominance for ART, virtually clinching the championship.[67] Norris's title hopes faded with a subdued performance. The finale at Yas Marina on 23–25 November confirmed Russell's title with a feature win from pole for ART, his seventh of the season.[68] Fuoco took the sprint for Charouz from reverse pole.[68] Russell finished with 287 points, 68 ahead of Norris, as Carlin edged ART for teams' honors.Notable Races and Driver Performances
George Russell demonstrated exceptional consistency and racecraft throughout the 2018 season, securing seven victories—equaling the single-season record—and clinching the drivers' championship in the final round at Yas Marina with a record 287 points.[69][70] His maiden F2 win came in the Baku sprint race on April 29, starting from 12th position and overtaking multiple cars amid safety car interruptions that negated his initial lead in the feature race, highlighting his adaptability to chaotic conditions.[71][72] Lando Norris emerged as Russell's primary challenger, amassing 219 points with strong qualifying pace and aggressive defending, notably winning the Bahrain feature race on April 8 after starting from pole.[4] The pair's rivalry peaked in the Monza feature race on September 2, where Norris pressured Russell intensely over multiple laps, including side-by-side battles through Curva Grande, though Russell held fourth while Norris briefly overtook before track limits issues affected the order.[73] A similar wheel-to-wheel duel unfolded at Spa-Francorchamps on August 26, with Norris challenging Russell for position post-restart, underscoring Norris's raw speed against Russell's defensive precision.[74] The Silverstone weekend on July 8 featured a major controversy when Santino Ferrucci deliberately forced teammate Arjun Maini off-track at Turn 4 in the sprint race cooldown lap, following an earlier on-track clash; stewards deemed the action inexcusable, resulting in a four-race ban, a €60,000 fine, and exclusion from results.[75] This incident overshadowed otherwise competitive performances, including Alexander Albon's consistent podium finishes that propelled him to third in the standings with 212 points, particularly strong in the latter half of the season.[4] The season's diversity was evident with ten different winners across 24 races, reflecting the competitiveness of the new Dallara chassis despite its handling quirks.[6]Championship Standings
Points Allocation System
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship employed a points system designed to reward performance across two races per event weekend: the longer Feature Race and the shorter Sprint Race. Points were awarded to the top ten classified finishers in the Feature Race and the top eight in the Sprint Race, with additional bonuses for pole position in qualifying (which determined the Feature Race grid) and for setting the fastest lap in each race under specific conditions. This structure aimed to balance emphasis between qualifying prowess, race pace, and consistency, while incentivizing competitive laps throughout the field.[30] In the Feature Race, the winner received 25 points, decreasing progressively to 1 point for tenth place. The pole sitter from qualifying earned 4 bonus points, regardless of race finish. An additional 2 points were awarded for the fastest lap, provided the driver finished in the top ten and started from their qualifying position (excluding penalties). The Sprint Race grid was formed by reversing the top eight Feature Race finishers, with the remaining drivers ordered by qualifying results reversed; no separate pole points applied here. Sprint Race points scaled from 15 for the winner down to 1 for eighth, with 2 bonus points for fastest lap if the driver finished in the top ten.[30]| Position | Feature Race Points | Sprint Race Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 25 | 15 |
| 2nd | 18 | 12 |
| 3rd | 15 | 10 |
| 4th | 12 | 8 |
| 5th | 10 | 6 |
| 6th | 8 | 4 |
| 7th | 6 | 2 |
| 8th | 4 | 1 |
| 9th | 2 | - |
| 10th | 1 | - |
Drivers' Championship Outcomes
George Russell, driving for ART Grand Prix, won the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Drivers' Championship with 287 points, clinching the title during the feature race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend on November 24, 2018, after starting the round with an insurmountable lead.[76] [3] Russell's championship victory marked him as the fifth rookie champion in the series' history (formerly GP2), achieved through seven race wins and seven pole positions, setting a record for the highest points total in a single season at that time.[69] [77] Lando Norris of Carlin finished second with 219 points, 68 points behind Russell, having secured two feature race wins and multiple podiums but unable to close the gap after early-season consistency from the champion.[3] Alexander Albon, representing DAMS, took third place with 212 points, highlighted by consistent scoring and adaptability despite the season's technical challenges.[78] Nyck de Vries of Prema Racing placed fourth with 202 points, benefiting from strong sprint race performances.[4] The final top five standings were as follows:| Position | Driver | Nationality | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | British | ART Grand Prix | 287 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | British | Carlin | 219 |
| 3 | Alexander Albon | Thai | DAMS | 212 |
| 4 | Nyck de Vries | Dutch | Prema Racing | 202 |
| 5 | Artem Markelov | Russian | Russian Time | 185 |
Teams' Championship Results
Carlin won the 2018 Teams' Championship with 383 points, securing the title in the Abu Dhabi round after consistent scoring from drivers Lando Norris and Sérgio Sette Câmara.[79] The championship aggregated points from both drivers per team across all sprint races (awarding 10 points to the winner down to 1 point for eighth place) and feature races (25 points to the winner down to 1 point for tenth, plus 1 point each for pole position and fastest lap).[16] ART Grand Prix, powered by George Russell's dominant drivers' title run, finished runner-up with 350 points.[79] DAMS placed third on 303 points, bolstered by Alex Albon's strong mid-season form.[79] The full final teams' standings are presented below:| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlin | 383 |
| 2 | ART Grand Prix | 350 |
| 3 | DAMS | 303 |
| 4 | Russian Time | 234 |
| 5 | Prema Racing | 231 |