Invicta Racing Dominates Formula 2 Championship in Abu Dhabi

Invicta Racing celebrated a remarkable achievement by securing their second consecutive Formula 2 teams’ championship in Abu Dhabi. The team’s success was led by soon-to-be Formula 1 graduate Arvid Lindblad and his teammate Joshua Dürksen, who both played pivotal roles in their victories. Throughout the weekend, however, it was surprising to note that none of the top five drivers in the championship standings managed to finish in the top five during the races. This article delves deep into the thrilling finale of the 2025 Formula 2 season, examining the key moments and performances that defined the weekend.

Lindblad’s Transition and Team Developments

On Tuesday, Arvid Lindblad was officially announced as a driver for the Racing Bulls F1 team, marking a significant step in his career. He made his first appearance in a free practice session with Red Bull Racing on Friday, showcasing his readiness for the transition to the pinnacle of motorsport. Lindblad wasn’t alone in this endeavor; fellow F2 competitor Luke Browning also took part in the session, representing Williams. Notably, Aston Martin made history by fielding two F2 drivers—Jak Crawford and Cian Shields—during the mandatory rookie FP1 sessions, breaking new ground in the series.

During the practice sessions, Crawford emerged as the fastest driver in F2, but it was Invicta’s Roman Staněk who claimed pole position. Lindblad, starting from the 10th position, capitalized on his reverse-grid pole to secure victory in his final F2 sprint race. On Sunday, Staněk faced challenges, allowing Dürksen to seize his opportunity and claim his only feature race win of the season, marking a significant achievement in Abu Dhabi.

Invicta Racing’s Championship Performance

Invicta Racing has firmly established itself as the team to beat in the 2025 Formula 2 season. With an impressive tally of three sprint race victories, two feature race wins, and an additional nine podium finishes, their dominance was evident. Leonardo Fornaroli, the drivers’ champion, contributed significantly to this success, securing four of those wins, while Staněk added to the team’s tally with a feature race win at Spa.

Entering the Abu Dhabi round, Invicta held a substantial lead of 35 points over Hitech and 57 points over Campos. Staněk’s pole position on Friday further extended their advantage to 37 and 59 points, respectively, with only 63 points available in the remaining races. Despite a challenging start in the first race—where both drivers failed to score—Staněk’s strong performance in the feature race secured the title, underscoring the team’s consistency and resilience throughout the season.

The team’s transformation has been remarkable. Just two years prior, Invicta finished fifth in the championship, struggling amid regulation changes. Their journey from seventh place in 2022 to being the dominant force in 2025 illustrates a significant turnaround. With proven success and a solid lineup, Invicta Racing is poised to defend its titles in 2026, with a focus on maintaining their competitive edge.

Dürksen’s Promising Season and Future Prospects

Joshua Dürksen had a notable season, finishing ninth in the drivers’ championship, with six podium finishes in the last eight races. His performance in Abu Dhabi further solidified his potential as a future title contender. In the sprint race, he finished second, having applied pressure on Lindblad in both the early and late stages of the race.

In the feature race, Dürksen showcased his skill by claiming victory, mirroring his success from the previous year. Starting from eighth position, he quickly ascended the ranks, demonstrating his racing acumen. After the pit stops, he emerged as the net leader, successfully navigating through the competition to clinch the win by a comfortable margin.

Looking ahead to 2026, Dürksen is set to join the ranks of Invicta Racing, the reigning champions. This transition presents both an exciting opportunity and a challenge as he will be competing alongside Rafael Câmara, the reigning F3 champion. The presence of Câmara could facilitate Dürksen’s quest for the drivers’ title, although he will need to adapt to the new dynamics of the team.

Rising Star: Nikola Tsolov

Another standout performance came from Nikola Tsolov, the F3 runner-up, who made his F2 debut last month in Qatar. Despite limited experience with F2 machinery, Tsolov’s performance in Abu Dhabi exceeded expectations. His first podium finish during the sprint race was a highlight of his initial foray into F2.

Qualifying ninth in Abu Dhabi, Tsolov once again outperformed his teammate Lindblad, who was on the brink of an F1 career. Although he received a three-place grid penalty for impeding another driver, he quickly recovered in the sprint race, advancing to third position. His ability to maneuver through the field showcased his potential as a future star in the series.

In the feature race, Tsolov faced challenges, finishing in 12th position. However, his strategic approach and adaptability under pressure demonstrated his capability to compete at a high level. As Red Bull’s only junior driver in F2 for the upcoming year, there are already rumors circulating about his potential as a reserve driver for Racing Bulls in 2026. With substantial support from Red Bull, Tsolov must rise to the occasion and prove himself as a viable candidate for an F1 seat in the near future.

Championship Showdown: The Battle for Second Place

The final round in Abu Dhabi was not only crucial for the teams but also for drivers vying for the second position in the championship standings. Four drivers were in contention, and the stakes were high as they battled for points. However, misfortune struck several contenders during qualifying, impacting their chances significantly.

Crawford, who was in second place, qualified well, but his rivals struggled. Alex Dunne, trailing by 21 points, qualified just outside the top 10, while Luke Browning, only eight points behind, found himself in 17th place. Verschoor, tied on points with Crawford, qualified in 12th place, setting the stage for a tense showdown.

During the sprint race, Crawford managed to secure crucial points by finishing sixth. Meanwhile, Dunne earned a point for his eighth-place finish, while Verschoor and Browning encountered difficulties, failing to score. The following day brought more challenges, particularly for Crawford, who faced a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for a grid infringement before the feature race.

Despite the setback, luck was on Crawford’s side as his competitors encountered their own misfortunes. Dunne was involved in a collision that ended his race early, while Browning struggled with the pit strategy. As the race progressed, Crawford worked his way back into contention, ultimately finishing in the points, while his rivals faltered.

Crawford emerged as the only driver in the fight for second to score points across both races, solidifying his position in the championship. Looking ahead, all drivers have plans for the upcoming year. Crawford will serve as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, Verschoor has secured a partnership with McLaren, and Browning is set to transition to Super Formula. Dunne remains the only driver from this quartet returning to F2 for the next season, with his seat confirmed at Rodin.

Conclusion

The 2025 Formula 2 season finale in Abu Dhabi was a showcase of talent, resilience, and strategic racing. Invicta Racing’s dominance was evident as they clinched their second consecutive teams’ championship, while individual drivers like Dürksen and Tsolov emerged as future stars. The battle for second place highlighted the unpredictability of racing, with fortunes changing in an instant. As the teams and drivers gear up for the 2026 season, the excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead in Formula 2 continue to build.