Current State of Women in F2
As of the latest FIA Formula 2 Championship seasons, women have continued to compete in the series, which serves as the primary feeder to Formula 1. The grid has included drivers such as Jamie Chadwick, who became the first woman to win a Formula 2 race in the feature race at Silverstone in 2021, and more recently, Abbi Pulling and Nerea Martí have appeared in the series. The FIA and Formula 2 management have tracked female participation as part of broader diversity metrics, with the 2023 and 2024 seasons showing a steady, if small, presence of women in the driver pool. For a detailed overview of the current driver list, see the official Formula 2 entry list on the FIA website FIA Formula 2 official site.
Formula 2 operates with a fixed number of seats each season, and the competition for those seats is intense. Women currently occupy a small percentage of the total seats, but the pipeline from junior categories such as F3 and F4 has begun to show more female talent reaching the F2 level. The FIA’s Global Pathway program aims to increase this representation by providing targeted support and testing opportunities. According to data reported by the FIA, the number of women competing in F2 and its predecessor GP3 has grown steadily since the series rebranded in 2017, with several drivers making the step up from F3 within the last two seasons.
Performance and Career Progression
Female drivers in F2 have achieved notable results that highlight their competitiveness. Jamie Chadwick’s 2021 victory at Silverstone remains a landmark moment, and her subsequent return to the series as a test and development driver has helped raise the profile of women in the championship. Other drivers have secured points finishes and podiums in recent seasons, demonstrating that performance is not limited by gender when given equal machinery and opportunity. For more on Chadwick’s career and results, see her profile on Forbes Forbes.
The pathway from F2 to Formula 1 remains narrow for all drivers, but women have made incremental progress. While no woman has yet raced a full F1 season, several F2 alumni have moved into F1 testing, reserve driver roles, or simulator work. The FIA’s F1 Academy, launched in 2023, is designed to bridge the gap between F4 and F3, with a specific focus on developing female talent for higher tiers. This structured pathway is intended to create more consistent opportunities for women to reach F2 and, eventually, F1.
Teams, Support Structures, and Future Outlook
F2 teams have increasingly recognized the value of diverse driver lineups, and some have actively supported female drivers through sponsorship and development programs. Teams such as PREMA Racing, DAMS, and MP Motorsport have fielded or supported women in the series, providing seat time and technical resources. The commercial model of F2, which includes a driver cost cap and standardized cars, aims to reduce financial barriers and make it more feasible for a wider range of talents, including women, to compete at a high level. For team and driver information, see the official Formula 2 team guide FIA Formula 2 official site.
The future of women in F2 is tied to broader motorsport diversity initiatives and the success of the F1 Academy. With increased media coverage, sponsorship interest, and a clearer career path, the number of women competing in F2 is expected to grow in the coming seasons. The FIA and Formula 2 management continue to publish diversity and inclusion reports, tracking metrics such as female participation rates