As the sun sets on 2024, here is a look at five top drivers of a memorable F2 season.
In a campaign which saw 18 different race winners in 28 races plus plenty of twists and turns, F2 once again delivered plenty of drama for the ages as teams and drivers adapted to a new era of machinery and regulations.
Given how hotly contested this season was with 21 drivers making at least one visit to the podium, I have picked out five drivers who stood out from the pack.
Joshua Duerksen (AIX Racing)
As the first Paraguayan to reach F2 and at a team which many didn’t expect to fight for wins, Joshua Duerksen certainly stood out as a surprise performer.
Considering that he only took 25 points in the first 10 rounds, Duerksen produced a breakthrough final four rounds which saw him collect 62 points – including wins in Azerbaijan Sprint and Abu Dhabi Feature Races – to finish 10th overall.
His achievements certainly exceeded expectations that many fans probably held for him and continuity will help him next season, although its a shame that top teams haven’t taken a chance on him.
Richard Verschoor (Trident/MP Motorsport)
Although Trident weren’t the most consistently competitive team, Richard Verschoor certainly punched above his weight even if luck wasn’t on his side in Monaco despite a superb pole and dominant drive until a driveshaft failure denied him.
81 points from 12 rounds for Verschoor at Trident therefore is a great result especially when compared to Roman Stanek’s woes, whilst his well-executed win in Baku was reward after disqualifications from victory in Saudi and Hungarian Sprints.
The final two rounds saw a return to MP Motorsport where Verschoor settled in seamlessly, and 25 points across both rounds to finish eighth overall sets Verschoor up nicely for a strong 2025 if he can find consistency and luck aligning in his favour.
Paul Aron (Hitech GP)
Having been released from Mercedes’ junior programme at the end of 2023, Paul Aron certainly looked a confident driver away from the F1 shackles.
With one non points-scoring finish in the first seven rounds, Aron looked like he could push for the title on consistency but a run of three points in eight races and mistakes saw his title challenge derail but third place was a strong finish.
Aron also showed his one-lap pace with four poles and a deserved maiden F2 win in the Qatar Feature Race, but a F1 reserve role with Alpine awaits due to funding issues around a second season in F2.
Isack Hadjar
After a 14th-placed finish with just one podium in 2023, Isack Hadjar certainly proved to be a surprisingly improved driver following his switch to Campos for the new era of regulations.
Consistency within the Feature Races formed much of Hadjar’s title challenge with four main race victories, as evidenced by 163 points in those races compared to only 29 points in the sprints although he did get into some scraps in those races.
Two pieces of bad luck in Feature Races however did cost him the title as a team error saw him start the Hungarian Feature Race from the pit lane, whilst he also had a clutch issue at the start in Abu Dhabi otherwise he probably would of been champion.
Nevertheless 2024 has proven a breakthrough year for Hadjar as he now steps up to F1 with RB, but he needs to learn to keep his cool when things don’t go his way like when Zak O’Sullivan’s Monaco gamble saw him beat Hadjar to victory.
Gabriel Bortoleto (Invicta)
Following his title success in F3 in 2023, Gabriel Bortoleto certainly brought his consistency into F2 with two poles in the first four rounds.
Race results though were initially on the tough side with just 13 points across the first three rounds, yet Bortoleto’s consistency ultimately shone with points finishes in 20 of the last 22 races to take the title as others slipped up.
Like in F3, Bortoleto only managed two wins in F2 of which his first in Austria saw him show his race craft to clear Duerksen then Pepe Marti, whilst his Monza win was down to pure lucky timing of his pit stop and safety car from last on the grid.
2025 will see Bortoleto step up to F1 with Sauber but he will need to show more than consistency if he is to kick on, especially compared to Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri who previously achieved consecutive F3 and F2 titles.
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