Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. “progressing step by step” at AIX Racing ahead of 2026 Formula 2 season

Written by Teagan Strachan, edited by Rohan Brown

Credit: AIX Racing

Typically, after competing in a regional series championship, drivers progress to Formula 3, further developing their race craft and physicality before stepping up to Formula 2.

However, an 18-year-old hopeful is taking a different route, following an unusual pathway.

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. has made the courageous leap from Eurocup-3 to Formula 2 for the 2026 season. Son of two-time Formula One world champion and IndyCar legend Emerson Fittipaldi, he will be contesting his maiden season alongside AIX Racing.

Beginning his single-seater career as a Sauber Academy Driver in 2021, Fittipaldi Jr. finished third in the Danish F4 championship. Securing eight podiums (including two wins), making for a successful rookie season.

No stranger to rapid progression, he speedily advanced up the feeder series ladder and, earned the opportunity to race in a regional series running a partial campaign in Eurocup-3 alongside the GRS Team and Palou Motorsport at the age of 16.

Credit: MP Motorsport

Quick to solidify his potential, Fittipaldi Jr. secured four podiums across his 2024 Eurocup-3 campaign with MP Motorsport, finishing fifth in the 2024 championship. In the first race of the penultimate round that same year, he acquired his first win at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he captured instant attention, including that of AIX Racing.

When late 2024 came around, he was approached by the team and presented with the rare opportunity to join the F2 grid for 2026. With eyes set on Formula One, the offer was impossible to give up.

Leaving a rocky 2025 Eurocup-3 season behind - where he finished 11th in the drivers’ standings - his focus had been redirected to working closely with the AIX camp to prepare for 2026.

“The opportunity came up late 2024. We started working together already the whole season, last year in simulators, and me going to races, so it started an early relationship”, 

I've been developing my skills and learning a lot with them, and just progressing step by step. And hopefully we can bring a lot of victories,”  Fittipaldi Jr. said, responding to DIVEBOMB’s question. 

Adjusting to F2 is a challenge for all drivers, acting as the final developmental step in the road to Formula One. The series features larger, faster machinery and a fiercely competitive field, drivers desperate to obtain one of the limited seats available at the top level.

The Brazilian’s move to F2 is harder than most. With no direct experience in F3, he is left exposed to competitors who have developed in F3, and previous F2 campaigns. Still, focus is fixed on learning alongside the team for this upcoming season.

“It’s just a learning curve for me this year. I have to learn a lot and progress. The team is helping me a lot.” said Fittipaldi Jr.

Credit: Formula 2

Following the career trajectory of Invicta Racing’s Joshua Dürksen, this uncommon pathway is not unprecedented. Dürksen made the move to F2 with AIX Racing after competing in FRECA and FRMEC in 2023, a pathway similar to Fittipaldi Jr.’s progression from Eurocup-3.

The former AIX Racing driver has worked closely with the rookie over the past season helping him navigate the fierce demands of the unfamiliar environment. Observing the Paraguayan’s development with AIX has given Fittipaldi Jr. the reassurance that the transition is possible, and he can achieve a similar trajectory with the team.

“Joshua (Dürksen) has been helping me a lot these last couple of months and the year. He’s always been with me, supporting me. We’ve been going to the simulator together and I learned a lot of things from him,” said Fittipaldi Jr.

“He really progressed a lot from when he joined in twenty-four [2024] with AIX Racing. He made this big jump, similar like me from Eurocup, and he really progressed a lot with the team.”

Fittipaldi Jr. has drawn on the experience of his new teammate Cian Shields, who has already had a taste of F2 in 2025. Support from Shields and Dürksen have allowed the Brazilian to find traction in the F2 category, easing the transition to the highly competitive field.

“We've [Fittipaldi Jr. and Shields] been working together these last couple tests we had,” said Fittipaldi Jr.

“He's helping me a lot with his knowledge from a year’s worth of experience, and myself as a rookie, have to learn from him and also from the past, and all the data from Joshua and all his learning. So I learned a lot from both.”

Despite carving his own identity in the paddock, the youngster has also turned to his father for advice. While the sport has transformed since the 1970s, his father’s timeless knowledge remains an asset in his overall development.

“All of this new technology for him is a bit new. A bit too new,

“But of course the good tricks always work.” said Fittipaldi Jr.

As the Australian Grand Prix draws closer, the rookie's long-awaited season is due to begin. Despite the demanding transition from Eurocup-3 to F2, the support from his team, family and intricate pre-season preparations give him a strong foundation that may prove this unconventional pathway is a crucial step in his journey toward Formula One.