F2 praised for sudden change ahead of landmark events

Formula 2 has been heralded by Hitech team principal Oliver Oakes for pulling off an eleventh-hour calendar switch to prevent the 2026 season from being reduced by two rounds.

Following the postponement — and likely cancellation — of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, the F1 feeder series lost what would have been the second and third weekends of the current campaign, bringing its total down from 14 to 12.

But to minimise the impact of the war in the Middle East on its drivers and teams, F2 will now be on the support bill of the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix in May, before returning to the planned schedule at the next round in Monaco.

F2 CEO Bruno Michel has previously made it clear the series would not race anywhere without F1, meaning it had to find a round that could facilitate the added paddock space and races required.

It is the first time Formula 2 in its current guise will race in North America, and it did not visit the continent during the GP2 era (2005 to 2016) either, primarily due to costs.

One consequence, however, of the change is that it rules out former IndyCar driver — and nine-time race winner — Colton Herta from competing in the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500, and Andretti Global has since confirmed that now it will not look to run a fourth car.

Despite preventing the Hitech driver from racing in the famed event, his boss at the F1 junior team underlined how positive the development is.

"From a team standpoint, we really welcome the updated calendar and the addition of Miami and Montreal to the Formula 2 season," Oakes said in a statement shared with RacingNews365.

"It’s a positive outcome for everyone involved – the drivers, the fans and the teams – to have more opportunities to go racing at such iconic venues."

Oakes lauded Michel and the championship for pulling off the pivot to North America, which will allow Formula 2 to complete a full slate.

"Full credit to Bruno and the entire F2 organisation, who have worked with the event promoters to keep the championship on track and minimise any disruption," he added.

"We’re excited to get back to racing in the coming weeks, and competing in North America for the first time is something we’re all looking forward to."