Formula 2 is the direct feeder series for Formula 1 and has been in the official Formula 1 game since 2019. F1 2021 has had F2 in the game since its launch in the Summer. However, this was for the 2020 F2 season. Now though, thanks to update 1.14, the current season of F2 has been introduced into F1 2021.
This will also be the F2 grid that we'll see when F1 2022 launches next year. So, if you're not already familiar with these drivers, let's get to know them. There are drivers that have already competed in F1, one that will graduate to Formula 1 next year and a lot of talent everywhere you look.
Calendar
Before we get into the drivers, it's worth mentioning that the 2021 Formula 2 calendar has also been added into F1 2021. The eight-round calendar has been completed except for the final round in Abu Dhabi. Each race meeting consists of two sprint races before a feature race.
#1 - Robert Shwartzman
The highest-placed driver that didn't get promoted to F1 from 2020 returns with Prema for 2021. Robert Shwartzman is Oscar Piastri's closest rival in the driver's standings in 2021. The Russian is also a Ferrari academy driver.
#2 - Oscar Piastri
Piastri has made an instant impact in Formula 2 and has been the standout performer in 2021. The Aussie is an Alpine academy driver has won three championships in a row on his was to F2 and is set to make it four in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
#3 - Guanyu Zhou
The only driver from this crop of Formula 2 drivers to get promoted to F1 for 2022 is Guanyu Zhou. Zhou will become the first ever Chinese Formula 1 driver when he debuts for Alfa Romeo in March. Zhou is another Alpine academy driver.
#4 - Felipe Drugovich
Felipe Drugovich is one of Brazil's hopes to have a Formula 1 driver again. However, Drugovich looks unlikely to be the first since Felipe Massa in 2017, as he's unaffiliated with an academy and hasn't won a race this season yet.
#5 - Dan Ticktum
Dan Ticktum is formerly of the Red Bull and Williams academies but is now an independent driver. Ticktum sits an impressive fourth in the driver's standings at the moment and has won two races this season. However, consistency and his temperament have cost him, and he'll be racing in Formula E in 2022.
#6 - Jehan Daruvala
Jehan Daruvala is the first of a handful of Red Bull academy drivers in Formula 2 this season. Daruvala narrowly missed out on a promotion to F1 last season, AlphaTauri preferring Yuki Tsunoda instead. Daruvala is India's hope for a Formula 1 driver, but sitting seventh in the standings won't do him any favours.
#7 - Liam Lawson
Red Bull academy driver Liam Lawson entered F2 with a bang. The Kiwi has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been very unlucky. A win in the opening race of the season showed promise, but five retirements have seriously hurt his ambitions of a title challenge.
#8 - Juri Vips
Estonia have never had a Formula 1 driver, but Juri Vips could be about to change that. The Red Bull academy driver has impressed in Formula 2, winning two races at Baku and sitting sixth in the standings.
#9 - Christian Lundgaard
Christian Lundgaard is unbeatable on his day. The Danish Alpine academy driver has not had a good year in 2021 though, and sits eleventh in the standings at the moment.
#10 - Theo Pourchaire
Theo Pourchaire is the youngest driver on the Formula 2 grid, making his debut at just 17 earlier this year. Pourchaire has a very bright future, as he showcased in Monaco earlier in the year. Another win at Monza sees the Sauber (Alfa Romeo) academy driver sit fifth in the standings.
#11 - Richard Verschoor
Richard Verschoor will have had ambitions of joining his compatriot Max Verstappen in F1 in the coming years. Despite winning a race this year though, the Dutchman has been dropped in favour of F3's Jack Doohan for financial reasons.
#12 - Lirim Zendeli
Lirim Zendeli has also been dropped for the final two rounds of the season due to financial reasons. Formula 3 driver Clement Novalak has taken the German's place, but that's not for lack of effort, as Zendeli had scored points in his debut campaign.
#14 - Enzo Fittipaldi
Enzo Fittipaldi is the grandson of double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Enzo has proven himself to be a great racer in the real and virtual worlds after winning the F1 Virtual GP championship this year. Fittipaldi was involved in a scary start-line crash in Saudi Arabia this weekend and we wish him all the best in his recovery.
#15 - Guilherme Samaia
Guilherme Samaia has had a season to forget in F2. The Brazilian has failed to score a point all season, something his teammates Fittipaldi and Beckman both managed with ease.
#16 - Roy Nissany
Williams academy driver Roy Nissany could become the first ever Isreali Formula 1 driver in the near future. Nissany has shown flashes of brilliance, such as his podium in Monaco but hasn't scored points on a regular basis.
#17 - Marcus Armstrong
Another Kiwi and another Ferrari academy driver on the grid is Marcus Armstrong. Armstrong has been inconsistent with six retirements so far in 2021, but has managed to win his first race in Jeddah this weekend.
#20 - David Beckman
David Beckman moved from Charouz to Campos mid-season and has impressed at both teams with a pair of podiums to his name.
#21 - Ralph Boschung
Ralph Boschung has shown glimpses of greatness but often can't hold it together for a good result. Bouschung did get his first podium of the season in Jeddah this weekend though.
#22 - Jack Aitken
Jack Aitken has made a cameo appearance for HWA in 2021, but has had his focus targeted elsewhere in 2021. The Brit has made his F1 debut with Williams in 2020 and is still affiliated with their academy.
#23 - Alessio Deledda
The less said about Alessio Deledda, the better. Deledda entered the F2 series under a cloud of controversy, but what's certain is his lack of pace, as he's been a back-marker for the entire year.
#24 - Bent Viscaal
Bent Viscaal has had a solid start to life in Formula 2. The Dutchman has had a pair of podiums to his name and has scored points on multiple occasions.
#25 - Marino Sato
Marino Sato has found Formula 2 tough to adapt to, just scoring points on one occasion this year. He isn't related to former Formula 1 driver and fellow Japanese, Takuma Sato.