The Upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans: A Look at Former F2 Drivers Competing in 2025
This weekend, motorsport enthusiasts around the globe will focus their attention on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious endurance race held in France. This event is not only renowned for its thrilling atmosphere but also holds the title of one of the oldest racing competitions, having been established over a century ago in 1923. As the excitement builds for this year’s edition, several former Formula 2 (F2) drivers are eager to carve out their names in endurance racing, transitioning from single-seater competitions to this iconic race. Let’s delve into the profiles of these racers who are chasing glory in the 2025 Le Mans.
Mick Schumacher: From F2 Champion to Endurance Racer
Mick Schumacher, the 2020 F2 champion, made headlines when he transitioned to Formula One, securing a seat with the Haas F1 team. Between 2021 and 2022, he managed to score 12 points for the team but faced a setback when he was replaced for the 2023 season. Losing his place in the Ferrari Academy, Schumacher remained active as a reserve driver for both the Mercedes AMG Petronas team and McLaren F1.
As the 2023 season came to an end, Schumacher announced a new chapter in his career by joining the Alpine World Endurance Hypercar team. This strategic move positions him to compete in the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite a promising outlook, Alpine faced technical challenges during the race, with both cars suffering turbo failures early on. However, the team made significant improvements throughout the World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, with Schumacher achieving a commendable third-place finish in the 6-hour race at Fiji alongside his teammates, Nicholas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere. In 2025, the team continued to build momentum, securing additional third-place finishes in recent races at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.
Nyck de Vries: A Versatile Racer
Nyck de Vries, another former F2 champion, is ready to take on the challenges of Le Mans this year while managing his commitments in Formula E. The Dutch driver clinched the F2 title in 2019 and stayed within the Red Bull framework until he finally secured a Formula One seat in 2023 with Alpha Tauri. Unfortunately, his stint was cut short when he was replaced midway through the season following a 17th-place finish at Silverstone.
Currently racing for Mahindra Racing in Formula E, de Vries has substantial experience in endurance racing, having participated in the WEC since 2018. His previous appearances at Le Mans include five races, where he achieved a standout second-place finish in the Hypercar category in 2024 alongside teammates Jose Maria Lopez and Kamui Kobayashi while driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing. The team’s historic success in recent years has made them a fan favorite, although Ferrari broke their winning streak in 2023 and 2024.
Theo Pourchaire: Rising Star in Endurance Racing
Theo Pourchaire, who claimed the F2 championship in 2023, is set to make waves in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2025. This weekend will mark his debut in an LMP2 car, showcasing his versatility as a driver. After his tenure with the Sauber Academy, Pourchaire found himself without a seat in Formula One and began exploring options in other series, including IndyCar and Japan’s Super Formula, before settling into endurance racing.
Pourchaire has enjoyed a successful campaign in ELMS alongside teammates Lorenzo Fluxa and Matthias Kaiser, achieving respectable finishes in both fifth and eighth places. The team he drives for, Algarve Pro Racing, has a history of success at Le Mans, including a victory in the LMP2 Pro-AM category in 2023, and they are eager to replicate this achievement after finishing eighth last year.
Felipe Drugovich: A Returning Competitor
Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 F2 champion, is gearing up for his second appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving for Whelen Cadillac. Despite remaining as a reserve driver for Aston Martin F1 after his championship-winning season, Drugovich has yet to secure a full-time seat in Formula One. This flexibility allowed him to participate in last year’s Le Mans, where he completed 280 laps and ultimately finished 29th overall and 15th in the Hypercar class, alongside fellow former F2 driver Jack Aitken and Pepo Derani.
In addition to his Le Mans experience, Drugovich also competed in most of the ELMS rounds for 2024, achieving a best result of third place at Imola in the LMP2 category with Vector Sport. In 2025, he aims to improve upon his previous performance at Le Mans, teaming up with Aitken again and welcoming another F2 graduate, Frederik Vesti, to their squad.
Jack Aitken: The Endurance Racing Journey
While Jack Aitken may not have secured an F2 championship title, he has had a noteworthy journey in motorsport. His brief stint in Formula One came during the 2020 season when he filled in for George Russell at Mercedes AMG Petronas, finishing 16th while serving as a reserve driver for Williams. Aitken’s highest finish in F2 was fifth place in 2019 with Campos Racing.
After leaving F2 in 2021, Aitken shifted his focus to endurance racing, participating in the GT World Challenge Europe and making his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. He teamed up with Sophia Florsch and John Falb while racing for Algarve Pro Racing, finishing 25th overall. In 2024, Aitken returned to Le Mans with Whelen Cadillac, finishing 29th, and is now eager to build on that experience.
Frederik Vesti: A Promising Talent
Frederik Vesti, who finished as the runner-up in the 2023 F2 championship behind Pourchaire, is gearing up for his second appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025. This year, he will race with Whelen Cadillac Hypercar, teaming up with fellow former F2 drivers Felipe Drugovich and Jack Aitken. Vesti’s impressive performance in F2, marked by a series of wins and podium finishes, caught the attention of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team, where he remains a reserve driver and part of their Junior Team.
As he continues to focus on his IMSA seat with Cadillac in 2025, Vesti has successfully completed all races this season, showcasing his potential in endurance racing.
Clement Novalak: A Drive for Success
Clement Novalak, another former F2 driver, is also set to make his second appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with TDS Racing after switching from Inter Europol Competition. Although he achieved a commendable third place in the F3 championship, Novalak faced challenges in F2, managing only one win in 2023 and one podium in 2022 amidst several races without points.
His transition to the ELMS championship in 2024 has yielded better results, including a third-place finish at Mugello and points finishes in most races. In 2025, Novalak has maintained a strong performance, consistently finishing on the podium thanks to the support of teammates Mathias Beche and Rodrigo Sales.
Antonio Fuoco: A Champion in Endurance Racing
Antonio Fuoco stands out as one of the most underrated former F2 drivers, having achieved significant success in endurance racing. In 2024, he celebrated victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Hypercar class, racing for Ferrari AF Corse alongside Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen. Although the team has yet to secure a WEC Championship title during Fuoco’s tenure, their impressive series of podium finishes over five seasons has established them as a formidable force in the category.
Fuoco’s early years in F2 during 2017 and 2018 were marked by a seventh and eighth place finish in the championships, along with three wins and multiple podiums. His journey also includes participation in IMSA and the GT World Challenge Europe, demonstrating his versatility as a driver.
Luca Ghiotto: A New Challenge
Luca Ghiotto has a rich history in motorsport, having competed in both GP2 and F2 over several years. His highest championship position came in 2019 when he finished third, trailing behind Nyck de Vries and Nicholas Latifi. After concluding his F2 career in 2020, Ghiotto transitioned to the GT World Challenge Europe before joining the ELMS with Inter Europol Competition in 2024. This year marks his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he will team up with Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Nick Boulle.
Rene Binder: A Diverse Racing Background
Rene Binder, primarily known for his GP2 career, made a brief appearance in modern F2, where he unfortunately did not score any points. However, he has successfully transitioned to the ELMS series, finishing third in the championship with Proton Competition in 2024. Binder has also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times, achieving a third-place finish in the LMP2 class in 2024 alongside teammates Alexander Mattschull and Laurents Horr.
The Excitement of Le Mans
As the 24 Hours of Le Mans approaches, anticipation is building not only for the race itself but also for the stories of these former F2 drivers who have taken on the challenge of endurance racing. Coverage
