With pre-season testing done and the first race weekend of the season just around the corner, it is almost time for the return of the FIA Formula 2 championship. With a grid comprised of both experienced drivers and a total of 10 rookies, 2022 is set to be another season full of close battles and an exciting championship fight. But which drivers will be having a chance at fighting for this year’s championship title?

It’ll come as no surprise that PREMA are expected to maintain their championship-winning form for yet another season. Though they will be sporting a new line-up this season, they’ll have an experienced driver in Jehan Daravula. The Indian driver will enter his 3rd season in 2022, and he’s expected to deliver a solid result and aim for the championship after his two years at Carlin. Daravula will drive alongside rookie Dennis Hauger, the reigning FIA Formula 3 champion. Though there’ll be no pressure on Hauger’s shoulders to win the championship, driving at PREMA will give him a strong opportunity to showcase his talents, while simultaneously getting settled in in a new series.

Liam Lawson at F2 testing in Bahrain, via @Formula2 on Twitter

After having driven for Hitech GP in his rookie F2 season, Liam Lawson’s made the switch to Carlin for 2022. He will be focussing on just one campaign this year, after having driven in both the Formula 2 championship and the DTM championship last year. Lawson finished 9th in the 2021 championship standings, showing some great potential after winning the Sprint Race on his debut weekend, though also having suffered from some bad luck in the form of DNFs. With Carlin, Lawson has a solid shot at the title for the 2022 season, with it possibly resulting in him stepping up to F1, as he competes against fellow Red Bull Juniors Jehan Daruvala and Jüri Vips. 

Young Frenchman Theo Pourchaire is set for his second season with ART, and with his eyes on a possible Alfa Romeo seat, he needs to deliver this season. Pourchaire showcased his talents when he put it on pole in Monaco in 2021, becoming the youngest driver in Formula 2 to win a race. His win in Monza and a few other podiums across the season indicate we haven’t seen the last of Pourchaire’s skill, as he is one of the favourites to win the title this year.

Jüri Vips at F2 testing in Bahrain, via @Formula2 on Twitter

Jüri Vips will be teaming up with Hitech GP for a second year, after driving his first full F2 campaign in the 2021 season. After a mixed season in 2021, which saw him get disqualified from qualifying in Bahrain, and become the first driver since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2016 to win two races in the same weekend. Vips ended up finishing 6th in the standings; with a season that consists of less problems, he might be able to challenge for the title if everything goes his way this year.

Rookie drivers Jack Doohan, Logan Sargeant, and Fred Vesti won’t be expected to fight for the 2022 title right away, but they might be able to surprise us this year, finishing on the podium or even scoring their maiden win. The same is true for Felipe Drugovich; though he might not be an obvious choice, his return to MP Motorsport could result in some interesting surprises throughout the season, and he might become a frontrunner in this year’s F2 season.