Why hybrid power just isn’t included in F2's future plans

Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel has admitted it might be “impossible” for the championship to modify to a hybrid powertrain in the longer term.

With Formula One leading the way in which in single-seater hybrid technology and IndyCar recently adapting its own version, learning its intricacies on the junior level is becoming increasingly essential.

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Asked if F2 had considered making the change, Michel said: “What Formula 1 has when it comes to hybridization just isn’t something we will afford, it is vitally easy. This just isn’t possible, otherwise we might multiply the fee of the season by three.

“We checked out what IndyCar was doing and had a number of conversations with them to see if it might be adapted to us and, truthfully, I assumed the fee in comparison with the advantages it might bring was almost zero.

“We made the decision to take a more sustainable approach to fuel, and we are well ahead of the curve on this for every other category.”

Isack Hadjar, Campos Racing, Ritomo Miyata, Rodin Motorsport

Photo: James Sutton / Motorsport Images

F2 currently uses 55% Aramco sustainable fuel, but will increase this to 100% next 12 months – before F1 introduces the change in 2026.

“Next year we will use 100% renewable fuel, still biofuel,” Michel added. “Very, very soon after that, we will be the first to start using synthetic fuel, and that is the approach we are taking.”

Explaining that refinements to the fuel injection can be crucial to adapt to the brand new fuel, in addition to “a few changes” to the engine, Michel concluded: “Of course we’re always improving and dealing on the engine.

“Next year in F2 we will have an engine that will be slightly different to what we have this year, and we are also working on development to adapt it to Aramco fuel because next year we will be using 100% renewable fuel.”