Formula 2 will join the Formula 1 support bill in Miami and Montreal after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds were cancelled, closing a three-month gap in the F2 calendar and marking the feeder series’ first North American appearances. The move preserves racing momentum for teams and drivers but creates scheduling fallout, notably ruling out Colton Herta’s Indy 500 hopes.
F2 added to Miami and Montreal after Middle East cancellations
Formula 2 will race on the undercard of the Miami Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, the FIA and Formula 1 have confirmed. The decision plugs a three-month void in the F2 schedule caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds.
Why the change was necessary
The cancellation of early-season rounds left F2 with a significant competitive hiatus between the season opener in Melbourne and the Monaco round. Adding Miami and Montreal restores a sense of continuity for the championship, limits lost track time for drivers and teams, and reduces the risk of the season losing momentum.
Official reaction
F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali hailed the move as beneficial for fans, teams and drivers, praising F2 leadership and local promoters for making the switch possible. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem framed the additions as a way to keep the championship "strong and balanced" and to accelerate F2's global growth by reaching North American audiences.
Immediate implications for drivers and teams
Bringing F2 to Miami and Montreal offers greater exposure for teams and drivers on global F1 weekends, but it also creates concrete conflicts. Colton Herta, an F2 driver and Cadillac F1 test driver, will be unable to contest the Indianapolis 500 because F2’s Montreal weekend overlaps the IndyCar showcase. That loss underlines how fixing one scheduling issue can produce another.
Competitive and logistical effects
Teams will face compressed logistics as they adapt to additional cross-continental travel in May. For drivers, the restored race rhythm reduces the risk of rust and lost development time—particularly important in a spec series where every session matters for championship momentum. Racing in front of North American crowds could also attract new sponsors and talent into the F2 ecosystem.
Where the calendar stands now
With the Miami and Montreal additions, F2 will run 14 rounds this season after the Melbourne opener. Remaining scheduled events include Barcelona, Austria, Great Britain, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Madrid, Azerbaijan, Monaco, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Organizers have signalled a desire to return to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia when conditions permit.
What this means for F2’s growth
Hosting rounds alongside F1 in the United States and Canada is a strategic win for Formula 2. It strengthens the feeder-to-F1 pathway by giving drivers more visible platforms on big international weekends and helps the series tap into expanding North American motorsport markets. Long term, consistent appearances on high-profile F1 cards can boost F2’s commercial appeal and talent pipeline.
Outlook and caveats
The calendar fix is pragmatic and timely, but not free of trade-offs.
Logistics, disrupted personal plans for drivers like Herta, and the unresolved status of Middle East rounds remain complicating factors.
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If stability returns to the region, expect Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to be reinstated at the earliest safe opportunity, but for now Miami and Montreal provide a clear and immediate solution to an awkward early-season gap.
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