Formula 2: Rookies in the Desert

Martinius Stenshorne

James Wharton, Martinius Stenshorne Laurens Van Hoepen and Nikola Tsolov join the FIA Formula 2 grid for the final rounds in the Middle East.

WHARTON AND VAN HOEPEN TO TRIDENT:

James Wharton joins Trident for Round 13 in Lusail, alongside Laurens Van Hoepen who was promoted to the Championship back in Round 12 for Baku.

The Australian joins the series off the back of a strong rookie Formula 3 season with ART Grand Prix, where he claimed a single Sprint race victory in Spielberg leading from lights out to the chequered flag. On top of this, Wharton had a further 3 top 10 finishes, putting him 18th in the Championship standings come the end of the season.

Currently confirmed for a second FIA Formula 3 season with Prema Racing, Wharton will take this opportunity to gain key experience in the F2 machinery and hopefully giving himself a leg up among the highly talented 2026 F3 grid.

Van Hoepen sticks with Trident for both Lusail and Abu Dhabi after making his debut in FIA Formula 2 in Baku following the announced departing of both Megatounif and Esterson after the two had a rocky season.

Claiming 2 Sprint Race podiums, the dutchman had an impressive return to Formula 3, taking 5 total podiums over his 2 years in the campaign before joining F2. With no confirmed seat for 2026 yet, Van Hoepen will use the final rounds of the season to grow in the championship and find his pace and hopefully, we will see him joining the grid full time next season.

STENSHORNE TO RODIN:

Partnering alongside Alex Dunne, Martinius Stenshorne joins Rodin Motorsport for both Lusail and Abu Dhabi, replacing Amaury Cordeel. Stenshorne made his Formula 2 debut in Baku qualifying P7, but unfortunately being forced to retire from both races.

The McLaren Development Driver joins the Championship after a highly admirable Formula 3 season, taking home 2 victories including Monaco and Spielberg, and an additional 3 podiums, claiming P5 in the Championship.

Stenshorne will continue with Rodin into 2026, being the first confirmed driver for next season, making these final 2 races critical experience gaining opportunities to put himself on the front foot amongst his fellow rookies.

TSOLOV TO CAMPOS:

Formula 3 Vice-Champion, Nikola Tsolov earns early FIA Formula 2 promotion due to Pepe Marti joining Formula E an ultimately stepping away from F2 to switch his focus.

Tsolov joins the Championship after 3 seasons in F3, where he claimed 2 wins including Monaco and Bahrain, along with a further 4 podiums putting him on 124 points just 42 points behind Champion Rafael Câmara.

The Redbull junior will take the final rounds of the season to build his pace and find his feet in the machinery in preparation for 2026 where he will continue to represent Campos Racing in Formula 2.

Written by Melissa