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March 31, 2025 – The FIA and Formula 2 management today revealed the technical specifications and first renders of the “Next Evolution” car, set to race from 2027 through 2029. The new machine marks a significant shift toward sustainability, safety, and cost containment while maintaining the high-level driver training mission of the feeder series.
The fully hybrid powertrain, co-developed with a single supplier (expected to be Mecachrome or a new partner), integrates a 3.4-liter V6 turbo engine with a 100 kW electric motor – a first for F2. The hybrid system is derived from Formula 1’s 2026 regulations, adapted for junior series cost targets. Estimated total power output: 650 hp in race trim, with electric boost available for overtaking.
Chassis weight drops to 750 kg (driver included), down from 795 kg in the current generation, thanks to increased use of sustainable natural-fiber composites in the monocoque and bodywork. The halo has been redesigned with a new titanium alloy structure that passes the latest 2027 FIA impact tests while reducing weight by 1.5 kg.
Aerodynamics focus on closer racing: the front wing endplates are simplified, and the rear wing features a drag reduction system (DRS) zone extended by 30%. Ground effect underfloor has been re-profiled to reduce turbulence for following cars. Downforce levels are around 10% lower than the current car, reducing tyre degradation and improving side-by-side racing.
Cost control is central: a fixed price cap of €400,000 per chassis (excluding engine and hybrid unit) for teams, with a mandatory four-year lifespan. The gearbox is a spec component supplied by Hewland, and all suspension parts are sealed to prevent expensive developments. F2 expects annual team operating costs to drop by 15% compared to the 2024-26 cycle.
Safety improvements include a new side impact structure with energy-absorbing foam inserts, an upgraded fire suppression system with three nozzles in the cockpit, and a mandatory driver cooling vest slot for extreme weather races. The seat belt pretensioner system now mimics F1 technology, reducing driver movement during crashes.
The first rolling prototype will hit the track at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in November 2025 for a two-day shakedown, followed by a full development program through early 2026. F2 teams will receive delivery of the new cars in September 2026, ahead of a pre-season test in February 2027.
The unveiling reinforces F2’s role as a direct stepping stone to F1. The hybrid powertrain, combined with the lighter and safer chassis, prepares drivers for the next era of top-level motorsport. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the car “the most advanced junior single-seater ever built,” highlighting its alignment with the sport’s Net Zero 2030 roadmap.
Series CEO Bruno Michel added: “We listened to teams, drivers, and F1. The result is a car that delivers better racing, lower costs, and a clear path to sustainability. This is the future of driver development.”
The tyre supplier remains unchanged: Pirelli will provide a new 18-inch slick compound with a harder rear compound to push overtaking. A revised pit stop procedure (manual wheel nut, automated fuel rig) will also debut with the new car.
Fans can expect the first race of the 2027 season in Bahrain under the lights. The full technical regulations will be published on the FIA website tomorrow.
The unveiling marks the end of the current F2 car’s life cycle (2024-26) and solidifies the series’ position as a hybrid laboratory before F1’s full transition in 2028.
