The FIA has unveiled a new Formula 2 car to be used from next season. F1's feeder championship has run the current Dallara chassis since 2018, with all teams running identical cars with only set-up tuning permitted. But the Italian manufacturer will introduce a new chassis for next term, which will be used until the end of 2026 - though the life of the chassis has the potential to be extended through to the end of the 2028 season. The new design will continue to be powered by the 3.4-litre turbo-charged Mecachrome engine and will produce 620bhp. The car is designed to be "as close to an F1 car as possible in terms of safety, look, systems, performance, sustainability and accessibility, all at reasonable costs." An "F1-spec" titanium halo will also be fitted to every car. Both the front and rear wings have also been re-designed, while the transition to fully sustainable fuels will continue with the hope of reaching 100% by 2027. The new machine has already hit the track with former F2 racer Tatiana Calderon in July, with further on-track testing set for the remainder of the year, including through 2022 series champion Felipe Drugovich. Teams are expected to take delivery of one example of their new machines in December 2023, with the second set to follow in mid-January, with a shakedown set for before the first official pre-season test.
Domenicali praises new car
"Together with the FIA, we’ve designed a powerful, challenging and safe car that will prepare young drivers for F1, and that will continue to provide great racing and a lot of overtaking opportunities, something that the fans expect from F2," championship CEO Bruno Michel said. "It has been designed also to fit all types of drivers, taking into account FIA’s consideration regarding the steering effort. This is obviously key to making our sport more inclusive, by enhancing our car’s driveability and comfort. “One of our main focuses remains cost control. So, we have kept the same engine and gearbox, and there are a lot of carried-over parts from the previous car. "Finally, we made sure that the teams can manage this new car with 12 operational people, as per the Sporting Regulations." F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali also added that the push for greater convergence between F1 and F2 machinery was a good step forward. "F2 consistently delivers excellent racing and acts as an important training ground for future members of the Formula 1 grid, and by bringing the design philosophies of the two cars closer together we will support this development further," he said. "The new F2 car is also an important symbol for our sustainability journey as the series continues to pioneer advanced sustainable fuel which will become a part of F1 from 2026. "I want to pay tribute to Bruno and his team as well as the FIA for our continued strong collaboration in this category. I can’t wait to see the car on track next season."
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