Audi rising star lands F2 seat despite F3 near-miss

Freddie Slater will step up to F2 with Invicta Racing in 2027, continuing his rise through the junior single-seater ladder with the Audi Driver Development Programme.

The move comes just days after the 18-year-old Briton narrowly missed out on the F3 title in Madrid, having fought for the championship until the very last round of his rookie season.

Slater, who was announced as the first driver signed to the Audi Driver Development Programme ahead of 2026, ultimately finished runner-up with Trident Motorsport, having taken one feature race win, three pole positions and eight podium finishes.

Despite the agonising near-miss, Slater's form was enough to earn him a step up to F2 with Invicta Racing, a team that has won back-to-back drivers' and teams' titles in 2024 and 2025.

He is set to get his first taste of the team during the post-season test, beginning preparations for his 2027 campaign.

Audi Driver Development Programme director Allan McNish said the promotion was a "natural next step", and "an important new phase of his development as a driver".

McNish added: "He enjoyed a strong Formula 3 season, fighting for the title until the final round, showing his speed, racecraft and progress throughout the year. We are very proud of what Freddie has achieved this season and how he has developed along the way.

"Invicta Racing has had an excellent record in recent years, and we are delighted to be working with them. We believe it is the ideal environment for him, and we look forward to supporting him as he takes on this new challenge in 2027."

Slater himself is already looking ahead.

"I learned a lot in Formula 3 this season, and I feel I have developed as a driver and as a person over the course of the year," he said.

"Invicta has a great record in Formula 2, and I cannot wait to get started with the team and prepare for our campaign together."