Written by Ellie Nicholls, Jasmin Low, Caitlyn Gordon
Welcome to Feeder Series Recap, your weekly series bringing you the best of driver announcements from the world of Formula 2, Formula 3, as well as F1 Academy. With post-season testing at Abu Dhabi taking place, teams and drivers have certainly been at work confirming drivers for the season ahead. Ellie, Jasmin and Caitlyn take you through the slew of announcements this week....
Roman Stanek returns to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2025
2024 Team Champions Invicta Racing confirm Roman Stanek for the 2025 season of Formula 2, with the Czech driver partnering Leonardo Fornaroli at the team next year.
Stanek competed in Formula 2 with Trident in 2023 and 2024, but decided to part ways with the Italian team after Monza this year, forgoing the final three race weekends of the season. Instead, he now joins forces with Invicta Racing to return to the series for what will be his third season.
Across his time in Formula 2, Stanek has finished in the points across multiple race weekends, with his best result being his Sprint Race victory in Australia earlier this year.
Before making the step-up to Formula 2, Stanek competed the 2022 season of FIA Formula Three, where he was a contender for the title until the final few races of the season - finishing fifth in the standings with a win and three further podiums.
Following the announcement, Stanek shared his excitement to be joining the team in 2025: “I can’t wait to drive for Invicta Racing in 2025.
The team has been fighting at the front of the field all season, achieved some really great results, and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable options in the paddock next year.
“That means there’ll be some pressure for Leonardo [Fornaroli] and I, but I think we’re up to the challenge. I’m ready for whatever F2 throws at me in 2025!”
Luke Browning joins Hitech Pulse-Eight for 2025 Formula 2 season
Williams Academy driver Luke Browning switches to Hitech Pulse-Eight for first full season in Formula 2 after a successful debut in the final stages of 2024.
Speaking after the announcement, Browning shared: “I’m so happy that I’ll be racing in F2 with Hitech next season. I’ve been through every category of single-seater racing with this team, and to be able to complete the ladder with them is incredibly important and special for me.”
Browning competed in the 2024 season of FIA Formula Three with Hitech, where he finished third overall in the standings with three podiums and two feature race wins across the year - and remained in contention for the title going into the final race weekend of the season.
The 22-year-old driver then stepped up to Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix, replacing the departing Zak O’Sullivan from Azerbaijan onwards.
Browning adapted quickly to the series, finishing seventh in the Baku Feature Race to claim points in his first race weekend, and recorded one further points finish in the Abu Dhabi sprint race, where he finished sixth.
Already having experience behind the wheel of a Formula 2 car as well as completing the Young Driver Test with Williams in Formula One will be extremely important for Browning’s rookie campaign next year - as team manager Clive Hatton noted.
“We’re extremely proud of his progression to F2, and to see him get his competitive F1 debut last week in Abu Dhabi. [...] We couldn’t have wished for better preparation for his 2025 campaign!
“Luke and Hitech share the same objective for 2025 - to win the Formula 2 Championship - and we have no doubt that he will be fighting for victories every step of the way.”
Kush Maini stays in Formula 2, moves to DAMS
Kush Maini will return to Formula 2 for his third season, this time with DAMS Lucas Oil. Following his 2024 campaign with Invicta, where the team claimed both the Drivers’ and Teams’ championships, Maini will pursue victory alongside fellow returnee Jak Crawford.
Maini’s series highlights include six podiums, including a trip to the top step of the podium following the 2024 Budapest sprint race. Furthermore, the Indian racer became a part of the Alpine Academy at the beginning of the year.
The 24 year-old shared his rationale for continuing his journey at the top step of the Feeder Series ladder: “I feel like my story in this championship isn’t completed yet, and I know that [DAMS] is the right crew to help me further my career.”
Consistency will be key for Maini, who will hope to use his experience to his advantage next season:
“I’ve taken pole positions and won races, so now it’s all about consistently delivering over the course of a campaign. I can’t wait to get started this week with post-season testing alongside Jak, and to form an experienced team as we look to battle for the championship in 2025.”
Sami Meguetounif moves up to Formula 2, stays with Trident
Sami Meguetounif rounds out Trident's Formula 2 line-up, after completing a successful rookie season in Formula 3 where he claimed two Feature Race victories and finished the season in eighth place overall.
Meguetounif’s triumphs in F3 impressed Trident Team Principal Giacomo Ricci, justifying the decision to progress the twenty year-old’s career to the next level. Speaking of the decision, Ricci expressed his confidence in Meguetounif’s abilities:
“We had the pleasure of working with Sami this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, obtaining remarkable results, as he has proven to be a winning driver.
"The move to the higher category represents a natural step at this stage of his career. I am sure that Sami has all the qualities to learn quickly and have a competitive season.”
The Frenchman will drive alongside Max Esterson, who transfers to the Italian team after his F3 campaign with Jenzer Motorsport. He expressed his gratitude and excitement about continuing his journey with Trident:
“I am very happy and excited to make my debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Team Trident. When I made my debut in Formula 3 with the Italian team twelve months ago, I did not think I would grow so quickly.”
Gabriele Minì continues with PREMA, promoted to Formula 2.
2024 Formula 3 runner-up Gabriele Minì will stay with PREMA Racing, progressing to Formula 2 alongside fellow F3 graduate Sebastian Montoya.
Minì’s resume includes winning the Italian F4 championship in 2020, and placing second in the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship. His most recent season in Formula 3 was highly successful, claiming 5 podiums, including taking victory at the prestigious Monaco Feature Race.
Minì stood in for Oliver Bearman earlier in the year at Baku, impressing the team with third in the Sprint Race. Already having a piece of F2 silverware to his name, the French racer looks to continue gaining positive momentum with the team:
“We showed excellent potential and speed throughout the whole year in Formula 3. After the great run at Baku, I hope we will keep working that way to try and fight at the front end of the championship again,” said Minì.
Team Principal Rene Rosin spoke highly of the Alpine Junior, excited by the potential Mini has been showcasing:
"We are thrilled to continue working with Gabriele. We always kept him in very high regard, and after getting back with him for FIA F3, we are already looking forward to making the next step together."
"Having an early start was a great opportunity for both, especially because we have maximized it with some impressive results. Preparations for the year ahead have already started and the early signs are definitely promising.”
Pepe Martí sticks with Campos Racing for the 2025 Formula 2 season
Josep Maria (Pepe) Martí will return to Formula 2 for his sophomore year, continuing to pursue victory with the team which contended for both the Drivers’ & Teams’ Championships in 2024.
Martí will partner rookie Arvid Lindblad in an all Red Bull Junior lineup, both of whom have been title contenders in Formula 3.
Martí is no stranger to the Spanish team, returning for a fifth season after being brought through the single-seater ranks, all the way up to the premier Feeder Series category.
Over the course of his rookie season, the nineteen year-old took to the podium on four occasions, including a Sprint Race victory at the final round in Yas Marina.
Martí shared his excitement in re-signing with Campos, and his desire to be a top-contender in 2025.
“I am confident that with this team that I consider as family, and the hard work that we have put in during 2024, we will be very competitive and surely a top contender.”
Team principal Adrian Campos Jr. echoed Martí’s remarks regarding the family dynamic between driver and team:
“I am happy that Pepe and Campos Racing can continue working together for the fifth consecutive year. He is like family to us, and we understand each other perfectly as he is fully integrated into the team.
"It has been a fairly positive first year in FIA Formula 2, with four podiums, including a victory in Abu Dhabi, which should serve as the ultimate motivation for 2025. We will have two young drivers, Pepe and Arvid, with whom we aim to achieve great things once again."
Dino Beganovic joins Hitech Grand Prix for 2025
Beganovic finished his sophomore season in F3, in sixth, a year which saw the Swede produce strong results including his maiden Formula 3 victory in Australia.
Along with two more podiums and a Spa Sprint victory, these performances made him a serious contender for the title heading into Monza’s season finale.
Unfortunately, after the sprint race, he was mathematically out of contention. He ultimately rounded out the season with 109 points, three points behind Christian Mansell.
His successful season earned him a promotion into F2 for the final two rounds of the season, replacing Juan Manuel Correa. In his debut race, Beganovic immediately made an impact, finishing fifth in his first feature race.
He carried that momentum into the final round, where he held off against championship contender Isack Hadjar, securing himself his maiden F2 podium position.
Closing out the season, Beganovic finished the feature race in seventh, collecting 22 points across his two rounds. Following the race, Hitech announced that Beganovic would be joining the team for 2025, partnering alongside recently promoted Luke Browning.
Hitech team principal, Clive Hatton said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dino for our 2025 Formula 2 campaign. Having competed against him for several years, it is great to have him driving for Hitech and we look forward to working with him.
“Dino’s record in single-seater racing is impressive. After two highly competitive seasons in Formula 3, he took his F2 debut in his stride in Lusail, demonstrating that he was ready to take the next step up the ladder. His performance in Abu Dhabi one week later was outstanding.
“Together with Luke, we have a strong line-up to fight for the Formula 2 Championship title next year. They each bring F2 race experience that will be invaluable heading into testing and the new season.”
Ritomo Miyata switches to ART Grand Prix
Ritomo Miyata joined F2 for his maiden year in European Formula cars. After racing in Super Formula where he edged out Liam Lawson for the championship in 2023, he secured a further title in the Super GT Series, becoming the youngest driver to ever achieve this.
Looking ahead to the next chapter of his career, Miyata headed across the season and partnered up with Rodin Motorsport for his debut campaign in F2.
Rounding out the season in 19th, with two best finishes of fifth position, Miyata joins ART Grand Prix for 2025. While competing in F2, he also stepped into the endurance world, where he took two wins in the European Le Mans Series with COOL Racing.
Regarding his move, Miyata expressed his excitement for the upcoming year, where he will compete in F2 and another stint in LMP2:
"I am thrilled to announce that I will be competing in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix. I am deeply grateful to Morizo-san (Akio Toyoda) and everyone at TGR for giving me another opportunity to race in Formula 2.”
"I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to ART Grand Prix for warmly welcoming me into their team. ART Grand Prix is a prestigious team in the world of motorsport, and I feel honored and excited to compete alongside them as one of their drivers.
“Building on the lessons I learned during the 2024 season, I will give my absolute best together with Morizo-san, TGR, and ART Grand Prix. Thank you for your continued support as we take on the 2025 season together.”
Sebastian Montoya moves up into Prema for 2025
Montoya competed in his sophomore season of F3, switching from Hitech to Campos for 2024.
Rounding out the season in 16th with 37 points, Montoya secured a podium position in his debut year. The following year, he had a similar campaign, finishing 17th, with a podium finish in Belgium.
The son of Juan Pablo Montoya, started out his career with Prema, working with the team for three seasons. In his second year of Italian F4, he secured nine podiums, rounding out the season in fourth.
He made the jump over to Formula Regional Middle East, where he took two wins in the first three rounds. He moved over to the European series where he finished 13th. His partnership with Prema ended in 2023, as he joined Hitech Grand Prix for his debut year in F3.
Returning to a familiar team, Montoya said:
“I’m very excited to join Prema for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season,”
“It was the first team I worked with and that makes it very cool to see how they evolved. It is one of the best teams in feeder series racing and now in the world. I’m delighted to join forces with them again and cannot wait to get started.” He joins up alongside Gabriele Miní for the 2025 season.
Adding onto Montoya’s words, Prema team principal Rene Rosin expressed his delight of teaming up with the Columbian again:
““It’s great to be working with Sebastian again,”
“We really enjoyed the collaboration in Formula 4 and Formula Regional, and heading into the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship, we are sure there is good potential to be put to fruition. The step to F2 is never easy, but we are determined to prepare well together at home and in testing and build on that.”
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