How Do You Go From Formula 2 To Formula 1? Here’s How.
How Do You Go From Formula 2 To Formula 1? source: ferrari.com
Jolyon Palmer, a former racing driver who’s had his Formula 1 debut with the Lotus F1 Team in 2015 as a test driver, and then was promoted to a full-time race seat with the team in 2016, recently explained how hard it is to go from F2 to F1.
The Story Of Oliver Bearman
When Oliver Bearman, at just 18 years old, stepped in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, it was a significant moment that highlighted both the challenges and opportunities for rookies in Formula 1. Bearman, transitioning from Formula 2, faced the immense task of adapting to a vastly different and more complex racing environment with very little notice.
“The first thing you feel stepping into a Formula 1 car is the sheer power available and the torque of the power units as well.”
Formula 1 cars represent the zenith of motorsport technology, with the Ferrari F1 car that Bearman drove producing around 1,000 horsepower, compared to the 620 horsepower of his Formula 2 car. This stark increase in power necessitates not only an adjustment to the physical handling of the car but also to the mental approach to racing. The power delivery from the turbo-hybrid engines in F1 is immediate and requires a precise control that is significantly different from the power delivery in F2 cars.
“The downforce is the next thing to feel stepping up.”
F1 cars generate a level of downforce that vastly exceeds that of F2 cars, allowing for higher cornering speeds and more aggressive driving styles. This requires a recalibration of the driver's understanding of the car's limits and the physical endurance to withstand higher G-forces through corners, which can be particularly demanding on circuits with high-speed turns like the Jeddah Corniche Circuit where Bearman made his debut.
“It’s not just about the speed though – which Bearman adapted quickly to, as he did last year in his FP1 outings for Haas – the controls and procedures are more complex than Formula 2.” - says Palmer.
The complexity of the car's controls and the strategic elements of Formula 1 racing also present a steep learning curve. F1 cars are equipped with an array of adjustable settings, such as brake bias, engine mapping, and differential settings, that can be tweaked on the fly to optimize performance. Mastering these controls, along with the strategic deployment of elements like the Drag Reduction System (DRS), requires a level of technical understanding and multitasking ability that is significantly more demanding than in Formula 2.
Despite these challenges, Bearman's debut was noteworthy. He demonstrated not only the capability to quickly adapt to the higher performance and complexity of the F1 car but also the mental resilience to handle the pressure of stepping into a leading team like Ferrari. His performance, including scoring points on his debut, speaks to his potential and readiness for the top tier of motorsport.
