The 2026 F2 season kicks off at the Australian GP from the 6th to 8th of March, as the FIA Formula 2 championship enters it’s tenth year. Invicta Racing head into the weekend as the reigning Drivers’ and Teams’ champions for a second consecutive year. With back-to-back titles under their belt, the team has set an unprecedented standard in the paddock and will be the team to beat.
Reigning Formula 2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli embarks on a new chapter with the reigning F1 Constructors’ Champions, McLaren. The Italian earns a well-deserved promotion and is set to serve as the team’s Test, Development and Reserve driver in 2026. However, before on-track action commences at Albert Park, here’s what you can expect from the 2026 F2 Australian GP.
Weekend schedule
On-track action begins on Friday, with a 45-minute Free Practice session at 10:00 local time. In practice, teams and drivers will be hoping to acclimatise and fine-tune their setups ahead of the first Qualifying session of the season. The first day of on-track action will end with a 30-minute Qualifying session at 14:55.
On Saturday, a 23-lap Sprint Race awaits fans at Albert Park and will start at 14:10. To set the grid, the top ten finishers from Qualifying reverse their grid positions, with the pole-sitter starting 10th. While some take it as an opportunity to fight through the field, drivers who qualify further down the top ten take it as an opportunistic chance. Unlike Sunday’s Feature Race, drivers and teams aren’t required to serve a mandatory pitstop, making it a race from lights to flag.
And, to close out the first weekend of the 2026 F2 season, the 33-lap Feature Race will begin at 11:25 on Sunday.
The circuit’s characteristics and history
The 5.278km circuit was first introduced to the Formula 2 calendar in 2023, and has since stayed on it ever since. When cars take to the track for the first session of the weekend, its slippery and bumpy nature can prove challenging for many drivers. However, Albert Park poses a unique and exciting challenge for the F2 grid with its high-speed corners, like the Turn 11-12 chicane.
Since the championship’s first visit to Melbourne, the circuit has always been an overwhelming driver-favourite — one that is often listed as a venue they are excited to race at each season. Year after year, unpredictable weather adds excitement to the grid and competition, often introducing an element of unknown to shake up the competitive pecking order.
Early championship contenders
As the first round gets underway, there are several drivers who enter the season as clear favourites to win the title. Heading into the first round, all eyes on both Invicta Racing drivers, who look set to deliver solid campaigns.
Firstly, reigning Formula 3 Champion Rafael Câmara joins the team, aiming to follow in the footsteps of his Trident and Invicta predecessors, Gabriel Bortoleto and Fornaroli. On his way to the title, the Brazilian enjoyed a dominant F3 season, claiming four wins and a podium — tied for the most wins in the championship’s history. Alongside Câmara, Joshua Dürksen gears up for his third F2 season, who is hoping to maximise his opportunity with Invicta Racing.
Looking to threaten Invicta Racing’s bid to retain both titles is Campos Racing, who field two rookies: Nikola Tsolov and Noel León. With two F2 race weekends under his belt, Tsolov aims to deliver a strong campaign after finishing runner-up to Câmara last year. And after a strong showing at the first day of pre-season testing, León’s promising pace could hopefully see both Campos drivers fight at the front of the field.
