Formula 2 is widely regarded as the final step to Formula 1, but according to two of Formula E’s young stars, the championship was “very helpful” in their transition to electric racing.
F2 is one of the most competitive feeder series leading to the pinnacle of motorsport. The spec series boasts some of the sport’s soon-to-be biggest names, all itching for a shot at F1.
However, despite being an immediate feeder series to F1, there’s no guarantee that any driver will make it to the top level.
As their time in the series progresses, drivers often begin to understand the realistic chances of an F1 seat, ultimately leaving them to realign their aims on other top series around the world.
For Pepe Marti and Zane Maloney, their switch came in the form of Formula E, and both have impressed hugely, with Marti taking podiums in what his debut season, and Maloney quietly improving for the fledgling Lola team.
When asked exclusively by Motorsport Week about whether the junior category helped their progression into Formula E, both drivers shared the same sentiment.
“Well, definitely, you know, the thing about F2 and F3 is the talent and the level there is insane,” Marti explained.
“For sure,” Maloney said.
“I think through the junior ladder you learn so much. With the teams you work with, a lot of those guys go on to be engineers in Formula 1 or even Formula E.
“And it’s a top level, both championships, F3 and F2. So you learn a lot.”
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From one competitive championship to another
Marti explained that being a part of a wildly competitive Formula 2 grid allowed him to join Formula E and compete against his rivals almost immediately.
In the Spaniard’s second race in the series, he found himself in the points and has been, in terms of points, a significant match for his experience teammate Dan Ticktum.
“You’re competing in a grid of 20 guys. There’s a very select few that get to go to Formula 1 and then progress to race-winning teams,” he said.
“Look at Kimi [Antonelli], who came seventh in F2, and obviously, he was a fantastic rookie, and we all know how talented he is. Now he’s leading the F1 World Championship.
“So I think my generation, the drivers that I raced against, were super talented, and that has helped me to be, you know, at a very high level when I’ve already got here to Formula E.”
Marti emphasised that the series taught him how to adapt quickly, amongst many other crucial lessons. All of which were used throughout his rookie season.
“So all of that understanding, all of that learning and, you know, understanding how to perform quickly and what you learn in F2 is definitely very helpful.”
Maloney furthered this sentiment, claiming that despite the vast differences from each series, similarities were evident. Albeit with a ‘rude awakening’ from Formula E.
“You learn a lot,” Maloney explained.
“It’s [F2] a bit similar to a Formula E weekend with very little practise, having to be on it straight away and perform well.”
“But Formula E is a bit of a different world. I think there’s so much more to go through with the team; there’s so much more to manage as a driver.
So it’s a bit of a rude awakening when you come.”
Adjustments were still present
Despite this, Maloney explained one drastic change from moving into the senior series. The 22-year-old went from consistently challenging at the front of the field for race wins and podiums to fighting for single point finishes in formula E.
This adjustment has been a difficult one for Maloney to manage, particularly in changing his mindset heading into race weekends.
“Obviously, not being quite at the front has also been the biggest change,” the Bajan explained.
“It requires a bit of a different mindset, a different approach to each weekend. One point for us is everything right now, whereas when I was in F2 it would be a race win.”
“So changing that expectation. But I still come to the race enjoying every day that I do, even if that’s for P10 right now. It’s just being realistic with the targets.”
But with the successes from both Marti and Maloney, it poses the question if Formula E could be a new alternative for drivers who may not have Formula 1 in their future.
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