Despite a disappointing 2024 F3 rookie season with Hitech Pulse-Eight, Cian Shields made the step up to F2 with AIX Racing, replacing Niels Koolen who himself had replaced Taylor Barnard. Though unable to score points in either Qatar or Abu Dhabi, Shields enters the 2025 F2 season with vital experience that he hopes will help his championship hopes.
Learning the main focus of Shields’ 2024
While speaking to media, including Pit Debrief, the AIX Racing driver explained that his objectives in those final two rounds of the 2024 season had been to learn as much as he could about the team and car ahead of 2025. He deemed this a successful venture, adding that his experiences in the post-season tests had helped him as well.
“I’d say the main focus was obviously last year was to learn. And the final two rounds, that was the main reason why we done the final two rounds. And then getting to know the team for the last two rounds and also the post-season test also in Abu Dhabi.”
He added that familiarising himself with his team and its operation had taken “one job out of the way.” This, he said, would allow him to focus on his driving during the season, and could help him put his way towards the front of the field.
“Getting to know everyone and getting familiar with the team, it takes one job out of the way going into this year. To be able to focus more on the driving and then pushing towards the front of the field.”
Shields reiterated that getting to know his new team and then improving his familiarity and comfort with the car had been a priority for him in 2024. As he believes that this was done successfully, Shields expects an “easier” start to the 2025 F2 season.
“I think the main learning from last year was getting to know the team and then just getting to know the car. It makes the start of this year a bit easier.”
