According to Didier Perrin, the technical director of Formula 2, the series will become "almost compulsory" when the F1 superlicence system is overhauled.
To race in Formula 1 it is neccessary for a driver to have a superlicence and this can only be earned if they manage to secure 40 points. These points can be earned if a driver becomes the champion of F2, European Formula 3, IndyCar, Formula E or in the LMP1 class of the World Endurnce Championship.
In the event of a driver failing to become the champion in one of the selected series, they must have gathered 40 points over the course of a three year period to qualify for superlicence.
Speaking at Monza last week following the release of next season's Formula 2 car, Perrin told Motorsport.com that the current superlicence points system is going to be changed to promote F2: "The superlicence points system is going to be revised,” he said.
“It's going to become almost compulsory to race in F2 – it won't be mandatory in theory, but it will be the preferred path to F1. It's very important – we want to give some value back to the driver's competitiveness rather than their wallet."
Perrin continued, saying that more superlicence points will be available in Formula 2 for drivers: “It will promote F2 a lot, as it will be the category that gives the most points and the best technical preparation to go to F1.
“It will be published soon. I don't want to speak on behalf of the FIA, since the FIA is going to give it, but everything will be done for F2 to become almost a prerequisite for F1," he added.
Prior to 2017, Formula 2 was known as GP2. Following the rebranding of the series however, it moved further under the contol of the FIA. The conversion of GP2 to F2 completed the FIA's target of having a 'pyramid' style progression system, starting from Formula 4 and ending with F1.
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