At first glance, Formula 1 and Formula 2 might look pretty similar with same style of cars, same race weekends, and a lot of the same tracks. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find they’re actually really different.
F1 is the top tier of motorsport, with the fastest cars, the biggest teams, and the most advanced technology. The place that every race driver wants to be!
F2, on the other hand, is all about developing future F1 stars. It’s a proving ground where young drivers race in identical cars to show what they’re really made of.
Whether you're new to the sport or just curious about the details, here’s what really sets F1 and F2 apart.
Is Formula 2 Faster Than Formula 1?
No — Formula 2 is not faster than Formula 1
F1 cars are significantly quicker due to more advanced engineering, more powerful hybrid power units, better aerodynamics, and faster acceleration. Formula 2 is a series designed as a stepping stone to F1, so it uses standardised equipment to focus on driver talent over car development.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Formula 1 | Formula 2 |
| Engine Power
| ~1000 hp
| ~620 hp
|
| Top Speed
| ~360 km/h
| ~335 km/h
|
| Lap Times (Monza)
| ~1:20
| ~1:32–1:35
|
| Development Freedom
| Full team R&D
| Spec chassis, engine, and tyres
|
Example Comparison: Circuit de Barcelona, Spanish GP
At high-speed circuits like Circuit de Barcelona, the difference in performance is crystal clear. F1 cars typically qualify 12–15 seconds faster per lap than their F2 counterparts. That gap comes from superior acceleration, cornering speed, braking efficiency, and DRS-aided straights.
For example:
- F1 Fastest Qualifying Lap (2024 Spanish GP): ~1:11
- F2 Pole Time (2023 Spanish GP): ~1:24
That’s nearly
a full sector’s worth of time gained on every lap—reinforcing F1's status as the fastest circuit racing series in the world.
How much slower is F2 to F1?
Around 18% slower…
Lando Norris’s McLaren MCL38 recorded the fastest F1 qualifying lap at the Spanish Grand Prix circuit in 2024 with a time of 1:11.383. In comparison, the quickest F2 qualifying lap was 1:24.766.
This means F2 cars were approximately 18% slower than their F1 counterparts at this track, though the performance gap can vary significantly depending on the circuit.
What Is the Difference Between Formula 1 and Formula 2?
While both are single-seater championships under the FIA umbrella, Formula 1 and Formula 2 differ significantly in purpose, technology, and competition level.
Purpose and Structure
- Formula 1 is the top tier of motorsport, featuring the most advanced race cars, the best-funded teams, and the most prestigious events globally.
- Formula 2 is a developmental series designed to prepare young drivers for F1. All teams use the same car, engine, and tyres to create a level playing field.
Technology and Engineering
- F1 teams develop their own cars with bespoke chassis, aerodynamic packages, hybrid power units, and constant mid-season upgrades.
- F2 teams run a spec car provided by Dallara, with a 3.4L V6 engine supplied by Mecachrome. There are no mid-season car developments.
Cost and Accessibility
- F1 budgets can exceed $140 million USD per team (even with cost caps).
- F2 operates on a fraction of that, making it more accessible and less tech-dependent.
Competition Format
- F1 features one Grand Prix race per weekend.
- F2 typically has two races: a Sprint Race and a Feature Race, both supporting the F1 calendar.
Career Role
- F1 is the destination.
- F2 is the feeder series. Many F2 champions and standouts go on to become F1 stars
What tyres do they use in Formula 1 vs Formula 2?
Formula 1 Tyres
- Supplier:
Pirelli (exclusive)
- Types Available Per Weekend:
- Dry (slicks): 5 compounds (C1 to C5), with 3 selected per race weekend (usually labelled Hard, Medium, Soft)
- Wet Weather: Intermediate and Full Wet
- Tyre Strategy:
- Teams individually select compounds from Pirelli’s available range.
- Tyre degradation and pit stop timing are central to F1 strategy.
- Multiple manufacturers used to compete in F1, but Pirelli has been sole supplier since 2011.
Formula 2 Tyres
- Supplier: Pirelli (exclusive, like F1)
- Types Per Weekend:
- 2 dry compounds (e.g., Soft and Hard)
- Intermediate and Full Wet
- Tyre Strategy:
- All teams receive the same compound allocation.
- Strategy is more limited due to the spec series format.
- Drivers must use both dry compounds in the Feature Race, but not in the Sprint Race.
Key Tyre Differences
| Aspect | Formula 1 | Formula 2 |
| Supplier
| Pirelli
| Pirelli
|
| Number of Compounds
| 5 (C1–C5, 3 used per weekend)
| 2 selected by Pirelli per weekend
|
| Custom Team Selection
| Yes
| No (same for all teams)
|
| Strategic Flexibility
| High – tyre choice is team-based
| Low – tyres are identical for everyone
|
| Usage Rules
| Must use 2 compounds in dry race
| Only in Feature Race
|
Drivers Who Have Graduated From Formula 2 to F1
Recent F2 Graduates in F1 (as of 2025)
- Gabriel Bortoleto – 2024 F2 Champion; joined Sauber for the 2025 F1 season.
- Isack Hadjar – 2024 F2 Runner-up; signed with Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) for 2025.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Finished 6th in 2024 F2; promoted to Mercedes for 2025, succeeding Lewis Hamilton.
- Oliver Bearman – Made F1 debut with Ferrari and Haas in 2024 as a reserve driver; secured a full-time seat with Haas in 2025.
- Jack Doohan – 2023 F2 third-place finisher; debuted with Alpine at the end of 2024 and secured a full-time seat for 2025
- Franco Colapinto – Mid-season F2 graduate in 2024; joined Williams for the remainder of the year.
Notable F2-to-F1 Graduates Since 2017
- Charles Leclerc – 2017 F2 Champion; debuted with Sauber in 2018, now a Ferrari driver.
- George Russell – 2018 F2 Champion; joined Williams in 2019, currently racing for Mercedes.
- Lando Norris – 2018 F2 Runner-up; debuted with McLaren in 2019.
- Alexander Albon – 2018 F2 third-place finisher; debuted with Toro Rosso in 2019, now with Williams.
- Nicholas Latifi – 2019 F2 Runner-up; joined Williams in 2020.
- Mick Schumacher – 2020 F2 Champion; debuted with Haas in 2021.
- Yuki Tsunoda – 2020 F2 third-place finisher; joined AlphaTauri in 2021.
- Zhou Guanyu – 2021 F2 third-place finisher; debuted with Alfa Romeo (now Sauber) in 2022.
- Logan Sargeant – 2022 F2 fourth-place finisher; joined Williams in 2023.
- Liam Lawson – 2022 F2 third-place finisher; made reserve appearances in 2023 and secured a full-time F1 seat in 2025.
Formula 1 vs Formula 2 FAQs
Does F2 use the same car as F1?No, Formula 2 cars are different from Formula 1 cars. F2 uses a standard car for all teams, built by Dallara with a V6 turbocharged engine. In contrast, F1 teams design and build their own unique cars, which are far more powerful, complex, and technologically advanced.
F2 cars are difficult to drive in their own right, especially without power steering, but F1 cars are harder overall. F1 machines are faster, more physically demanding, and require drivers to master complex systems like hybrid energy recovery and advanced aerodynamics.
Yes, but it’s uncommon. A former F1 driver could race in F2, usually to stay competitive if they lose their F1 seat. However, it’s generally considered a step backwards in a driver’s career.
Absolutely. F2 exists as a direct stepping stone to F1. Many current F1 drivers, including British talents like George Russell and Lando Norris, were promoted after success in F2. Strong results in F2 can open doors to an F1 seat.
Not automatically, but winning the F2 Championship greatly improves a driver’s chances. F1 teams often sign top F2 performers, but a move also depends on timing, available seats, and backing from sponsors or driver academies.
In most cases, no. Many F2 drivers bring sponsorship or personal funding to secure a seat. However, a few, especially those linked to F1 junior programmes (like Mercedes or Red Bull), may receive financial support or salaries.
No, F2 is a lower category than F1. Formula 1 is the top level of single-seater motorsport globally. F2 is considered a proving ground for young drivers aiming to reach F1.
Formula 1 vs Formula 2
Formula 1 and Formula 2 share a visual resemblance, but their purpose and performance levels are fundamentally different. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, with unparalleled speed, technology, and global reach.
Formula 2 is a proving ground where future F1 stars sharpen their race skills in identical machinery. While F1 is clearly faster and more complex, F2 delivers close, competitive racing and remains a critical step on the road to the top
