The Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid to Host F2 and F3 from 2026 to 2035
Four of the six drivers making their F1 debut in 2025 come from F2
The IFEMA Madrid circuit, which will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 onwards, will also welcome the junior categories of F1, FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3, throughout the ten years in which the Spanish capital will be home to this international event. This agreement will enhance the experience for fans, who will not only be able to enjoy the spectacular F1 races but also witness the excitement and emerging talent of future motorsport stars.
The combination of these three categories will provide a unique experience, underlining the circuit’s commitment to entertainment for fans as well as the development of new talent.
The 2024 F2 Championship Feeds Rookies into the 2025 F1 Grid
The current F1 grid will see no fewer than six new faces in the 2025 season, with four of these rookies stepping up directly from F2: Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar. Additionally, Paul Aron will take on a reserve driver role at Alpine alongside Franco Colapinto, who already gained experience as an official Williams driver at the end of last season. This marks the end of a three-year trend in which not even the F2 champion managed to make the leap to F1 the following year.
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto has rightfully earned his place as a full-time driver for Kick Sauber Stake after claiming the FIA F2 title in a season brimming with talent, fierce battles, and drama, which remained undecided until the final round in Abu Dhabi. The 20-year-old from São Paulo will join the team that will transition into Audi in 2026, alongside the experienced Nico Hülkenberg. With an exceptional level of focus and immense talent, he becomes the first F1 driver to emerge from Fernando Alonso’s management company, with the Spanish two-time world champion closely following his progress throughout the past season.
French driver Isack Hadjar, the F2 runner-up, has been one of the biggest surprises of the season after signing with Racing Bull, giving renewed purpose to the energy drink brand’s young driver programme.
Alongside Bortoleto and Hadjar, two other drivers making the leap from F2 to F1 next season are Antonio Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman. The young Italian prodigy, just 18 years old, will join George Russell at Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Meanwhile, Bearman, who already has F1 experience, will team up with Esteban Ocon at the newly revamped Haas F1 Team.
Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto also had his chance in 2024, stepping in for Logan Sargeant at Williams after impressing in F2, becoming one of the standout sensations of the season. In 2025, however, he will have to settle for a reserve driver role at Alpine, waiting for an opportunity. Alongside him, also as a third driver for the Enstone-based team, will be Estonian Paul Aron, who finished third in the FIA F2 Championship.
F3: The First Step Towards Formula 1
Many of the drivers who competed in last season’s FIA F3 Championship have moved up to F2 in 2025, taking the next step towards their ultimate goal: Formula 1. This is the case of the category winner, Leonardo Fornaroli, who clinched the title in heroic fashion with a last-corner overtake in the final race at Monza.
The title won by this 19-year-old Italian is a testament to consistency, as he claimed the championship without winning a single race but secured podium finishes on seven occasions, with two second places and five third places results.
Another 19-year-old Italian, Gabriele Minì, finished as the F3 runner-up, just two points behind his compatriot, earning his promotion to F2 as a reward. Other drivers making the step up include Alexander Dunne, Arvid Lindblad, Sebastián Montoya, and Sami Meguetounif, all of whom will compete in F2 in 2025.
With the inclusion of these two competitions taking place on the same weekend as F1, the Spanish Grand Prix further cements itself as one of the standout events on the international calendar, elevating the excitement of motorsport to new heights. This not only benefits the drivers but also offers fans an unparalleled spectacle.