Crawford focused on "smoothing out inconsistencies", while Verschoor traces strong 2025 F2 campaign

Written by Vyas Ponnuri

The 2025 Formula 2 season is all set to peak as the drivers head into the Red Bull Ring this weekend. The spotlight is set on two experienced, multi-year F2 drivers, split by two rookies in the top four. It marks an exciting dynamic in the story of the 2025 F2 season.

Verschoor captured one of his two race wins in 2025 at Barcelona | Credit: Formula One

Formula 2 returns from a four-week hiatus, having raced in Barcelona only at the beginning of June. The current top four in the standings come into the next set of races on the back of excellent showings in the Spanish showdown.

For starters, championship leader Alex Dunne bounced back from a penalty-ridden weekend to finish second in the sprint, before following up with fifth in the feature race.

Richard Verschoor, second in the standings, took the sprint win after a late gamble to switch to the soft tyres paid off, while he picked up third on Sunday to cement his position at the top of the standings.

The feature race honours went to Arvid Lindblad, as the Campos man converted pole into victory at the flag, catapulting himself into the top three of the standings at the end of the triple header.

Meanwhile, Jak Crawford took a brace of fourth places to cap off his strong triple header, as he currently sits fourth in the F2 standings in 2025, despite failing to score in the first three races of the season.

The quartet have all had varying journeys and paths to get to the top. Yet, there is more than a strong chance they could all find themselves in contention for the title when the F2 caravan reaches Abu Dhabi for its final weekend in December.

Verschoor took a stellar victory in Jeddah earlier this year | Credit: Formula One

Verschoor, currently in his fourth F2 campaign, is coming off his best starts in any F2 season. The Dutchman, who has taken victories in Jeddah and Barcelona so far, is currently riding the wave on his return to MP Motorsport in 2025.

I'm very pleased with how we are performing this year," Verschoor expressed, speaking to select media ahead of the Austrian F2 weekend.

Verschoor has settled in well at MP Motorsport, and has praised the team's communication and ability to bounce back even on tough weekends. It was the swift communication between team and driver that encouraged Verschoor to switch onto the soft tyres in Barcelona, forming the base for his victory.

"So far, I'm happy. Sometimes, you make the move to another team, but you're not sure yet how things are playing out. But so far, I really enjoy working with the team.

"I think we're on a good base communication-wise, and even the tracks or moments where we haven't been so strong, we were able to turn it around very quickly. And I think that's a very important point," Verschoor expressed.

MP Motorsport themselves have been winners, when Felipe Drugovich took the team to the championship in 2022. While their experience has enabled for clear communication and synergy in efforts, Verschoor's trust in the team and his four years of experience add even more to the table.

"It also comes from experience from the team and also from myself, but also a bit of trust. And I think we are still building, but so far it's been a pleasure, and I'm happy that the results show that," Verschoor expressed.

No driver has won the title in their fourth year (or more) of Formula 2, a feat Verschoor could change in 2025 if he continues the uptick of form with MP Motorsport into the latter stages of this season.

Jak Crawford's roaring comeback in 2025

Crawford has accumulated all his points from the past four weekends | Credit: Dutch Photo Agency via DAMS

If Verschoor is to win a maiden F2 title in 2025, he is to withstand the ranks of another experienced racer in the championship. Crawford has been a constant figure atop the charts in 2025, ever since he took pole in Jeddah to get DAMS' season up and running.

A strong trio of weekends from Imola to Spain have put the French outfit in prime position to make 2025 their year, with two experienced and calculative racers in Crawford and Kush Maini at the helm.

"Yeah, it has been a really good couple of weekends for the team," Crawford mentioned, reflecting on his recent form.

The American, who took victories and podiums on his way to the top four in 2024, is well aware of the team's potential, speaking of the team's inconsistencies to kick off their current campaign.

"Obviously, three race victories between myself and Kush (Maini) and lots of points scored. But, I feel this is sort of, where we should be.

"Last year (in 2024), we were there at times, a bit inconsistent, a bit up and down. And now, this year was about smoothing out those inconsistencies," Crawford expressed, highlighting the slow start to the season and the rise in form afterwards.

"We didn't really get a chance to show what we had the first two rounds in Melbourne and Bahrain. And finally, we were able to show, you know, what we improved on and the better consistency that we're bringing for this year, already in Jeddah.

So, from then on, it's been, more or less just, what we've been working on over the winter to improve, already just slightly on last year (in 2024)," Crawford expressed, highlighting the team's efforts to put behind inconsistencies and make it a year to remember.

Mari Boya became Aston Martin's first inductee onto the Driver Development Programme | Credit: Aston Martin

Crawford, an Aston Martin F1 Reserve and Development Driver, will be joined by Campos F3 racer Mari Boya in the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme, as the British marque announced their first signing onto their roster.

Boya currently sits 13th in the F3 championship standings in 2025, with a singular podium to his name in Monaco.

"I think from my side, I mean I've known Mari (Boya) since my karting days. I haven't had the chance to speak to him yet. Just a quick hello in the paddock," Crawford said.

With F2 and F3 running parallel until the summer break, it gives the American plenty of time to catch up with Boya and understand his role as an Aston Martin development driver as the year goes on.

F2 and F3 will both be running in Austria these weekend, supporting the Austrian Grand Prix. Do make sure to tune in to live action, and check back on the DIVEBOMB website to catch up on the latest racing action from the weekend.