Formula 2 Eyes Permanent North America Expansion After Miami Debut Success

Formula 2 made its North American debut in Miami last weekend, with the series CEO Bruno Michel signaling a strong desire to return on a permanent basis. The visit was originally a contingency after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds.

Why it matters:

F2 has never raced in North America before, missing a key market for driver development and fan engagement. With F1 expanding its US footprint, a permanent F2 presence could help bridge the gap between European junior categories and American racing talent, potentially attracting more drivers from the IndyCar pipeline.

The details:

• Michel confirmed discussions are ongoing, particularly with the Montreal promoter for a future spot on the calendar.
• Miami is more complicated because it already has support races (Porsche and McLaren trophies), and there was no existing paddock – a new one had to be built from scratch.
• F2 can no longer run standalone events due to its deep integration with F1 systems (DRS, race control, marshalling). It must piggyback on F1 weekends.
• Michel highlighted that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also values having F2 and F3 on the bill as part of a “great show.”
• Cost is a limiting factor: F2 currently runs 14 events per season, and Michel does not want to increase that significantly.
• The American market is critical: Michel noted that there are as many drivers in America as in Europe, but few transition to F2. Colton Herta was cited as an example of the potential.

What's next:

• Michel said future discussions will happen, with Austin and Las Vegas also potential venues since F1 races there.
• For now, the Miami and Montreal appearances are one-offs for 2025, but the success has opened the door for more permanent expansion – if logistics and budgets align.
• The immediate priority is ensuring the rest of the season runs smoothly, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi still on the calendar – but replacement races remain an option if needed.