After a brief pause, Formula 2 returns to the legendary Spa circuit, ready to shake up the drivers’ standings once again.
Formula 2’s Next Stop: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Following a three-week break, Formula 2 resumes with the ninth round of the 2025 season at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Renowned for its high speed, varied elevations, and opportunities for overtaking, Spa remains a firm favourite among drivers.
The Belgian round is part of the second half of the season. With the title race tightening, every driver must push to either maintain or improve their performance. The gap at the top of the standings is noticeably narrower compared to last year.
Back in 2024, Isack Hadjar arrived in Belgium holding an 18-point lead over Paul Aron. This time, Richard Verschoor leads by six points ahead of Jak Crawford.
This margin highlights the fiercely competitive nature of this year’s championship. There is no room for error, and a single mistake could cost any driver their place in the title fight.
Could Crawford Be the Next F2 Winner at Spa?
Delivering a strong performance at Spa is a badge of honour for any driver. Last year, Paul Aron claimed pole position in his attempt to close the gap to Hadjar. However, his weekend quickly turned into his worst as he failed to score points in either race.
In contrast, Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto capitalised on Aron’s misfortunes. Hadjar triumphed in the Feature Race, putting in one of his most convincing drives in F2, fending off Bortoleto, who secured second place on Sunday.
Sunday’s Sprint Race was cut short due to heavy rain, with Zak O’Sullivan emerging as the winner. Not a lot of action happened in the short race, except for the overtake of Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Eau Rouge. That move later earned the Dallara Award for the best overtake of 2024.
Looking ahead, Jak Crawford enters the weekend as a strong contender. In 2024, he qualified fourth and finished on the podium in the Feature Race. Considering his current form, and with Spa being a track where both he and his DAMS Lucas Oil team typically perform well, as he mentioned to LWOS last year, Crawford is one to watch.
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Is Verschoor’s Lead Under Threat?
Silverstone proved to be a difficult round for Richard Verschoor. The Dutch drive could not manage better than seventh in either race, collecting eight points over the weekend. Nevertheless, he held onto his championship lead, showing determination despite the setbacks.
Meanwhile, Crawford has climbed into second place, just six points behind. The American appears more focused than ever, eager to heighten his place in the title battle. His push comes at an important time, with Cadillac yet to confirm its 2026 driver line-up.
Also worth noting are Alex Dunne and Leonardo Fornaroli. Both continue to place near the top of the standings and remain well within reach of the top two.
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Will the Weather Play a Role?
Spa-Francorchamps presents one of the toughest challenges on the calendar. Its varied sectors demand precise car setups and the right execution from teams and drivers alike.
The tyre choice for this weekend is the same as last year: soft and medium compounds.
The softer compound is likely to feature in Saturday’s Sprint Race, although managing degradation will be key, given the circuit’s demanding nature.
In the Feature Race, each team can choose their strategy, as both options have proven to be competitive.
However, Spa’s unpredictable weather may ultimately dictate tyre strategy.
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Main Photo
- Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
- Recording Date: 07/06/2025
