FIA Formula 3 graduates Gabriele Mini and Luke Browning lead the latest driver announcements as the 2025 Formula 2 grid takes shape.
Mini and Browning both starred in this year’s F3 title chase with Prema and Hitech respectively, finishing second and third respectively in the Drivers’ Championship.
Both have since made their debuts in F2, Mini with Prema in Azerbaijan and Browning with ART Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
In 2025, they will represent Prema and Hitech on the final rung of the Formula 1 support ladder.
Mini, 19, standing in for Oliver Bearman at the Baku City circuit impressed, finishing third in the Sprint race on debut.
It’s unsurprising then that Prema wants to continue its relationship with the young Italian via a full F2 campaign in 2025.
“We are thrilled to continue working with Gabriele,” said Prema Team Principal Rene Rosin.
“We always kept him in very high regard, and after getting back with him for FIA F3, we are already looking forward to making the next step together.
“Having an early start was a great opportunity for both, especially because we have maximised it with some impressive results.
“Preparations for the year ahead have already started and the early signs are definitely promising.”
Mini, a member of the Alpine F1 Academy set-up, said: “[I’m] very happy to be joining PREMA in FIA F2 and to keep working together for another season.
“We showed excellent potential and speed throughout the whole year in Formula 3. After the great run at Baku, I hope we will keep working that way to try and fight at the front end of the championship again.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I want to thank All Road Management, Alpine, and everyone involved.”
Luke Browning and Hitech targeting 2025 F2 title
During his six-race spell in F2 this year with ART GP, Browning scored two top-10 finishes but returns to Hitech in 2025.
Hitech founder Oliver Oakes manages Browning’s affairs, having supported him since 2022 and the Williams Academy driver paid thanks to the Alpine Team Principal upon announcing his 2025 plans.
“I’m so happy that I’ll be racing in F2 with Hitech next season,” said Browning. “I’ve been through every category of single seater racing with this team and to be able to complete the ladder with them is incredibly important and special for me.”
“I would like to thank Oliver Oakes in particular for his support throughout the last three seasons. There is nothing I want more than to win the F2 Championship with this group of people around me, and that is our goal for 2025.”
Hitech Team Manager Clive Hatton added: “After three seasons with Hitech, Luke has worked closely with the team at every stage of his journey up the single-seater ladder. We’re extremely proud of his progression to F2, and to see him get his competitive F1 debut last week in Abu Dhabi.
“With Luke getting the opportunity to step up to Formula 2 for the final three rounds of the current season, coupled with the experience he has gathered from his Formula 1 Free Practice, and the Young Driver Test this week, we couldn’t have wished for better preparation for his 2025 campaign.
“Luke and Hitech share the same objective for 2025 – to win the Formula 2 Championship – and we have no doubt that he will be fighting for victories every step of the way.”
Sami Meguetounif sticks with Trident for rookie F2 campaign
Sami Meguetounif is joining Mini and Browning in jumping up to F2 for a rookie campaign in 2025.
Meguetounif will continue with the Trident team with which he embarked on his rookie F3 campaign this year, scoring two race victories.
He will partner Max Esterson at the Italian team in 2025.
“I am very happy and excited to make my debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Team Trident,” said Meguetounif. “When I made my debut in Formula 3 with the Italian team twelve months ago, I did not think I would grow so quickly.
“This year I have worked with strong, intelligent and determined people. We have had an incredible season, which has allowed me, also thanks to two wonderful victories, to convince those who support me that it was time to move up a ladder. I can’t wait to take part in the Formula 2 post-season tests and enter a new phase of my career.”
Trident Team Manager Giacomo Ricci added: “We are very pleased to announce that Sami Meguetounif will compete with Trident Motorsport in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship. We had the pleasure of working with Sami this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, obtaining remarkable results, as he has proven to be a winning driver. The move to the higher category represents a natural step at this stage of his career. I am sure that Sami has all the qualities to learn quickly and have a competitive season.”
Roman Stanek and Kush Maini join Invicta and DAMS
Elsewhere, Czech driver Roman Stanek will join 2024 F2 Teams’ Champion Invicta Racing for his third season in the series next year.
Stanek’s F2 journey began with Trident in 2022 and yielded a Sprint Race victory in Melbourne this year before he was replaced by Christian Mansell after the Italian round at Monza.
The 20-year-old welcomes 2024 F3 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli as a team-mate next year and said “I can’t wait to drive for Invicta Racing in 2025. The team has been fighting at the front of the field all season, achieved some really great results and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable options in the paddock for next year.
“That means there’ll be some pressure for Leonardo [Fornaroli] and I, but I think we’re up to the challenge. I’m ready for whatever F2 throws at me in 2025.”
Invicta Racing Team Principal Andy Roche added: “We’re thrilled to have Roman onboard for 2025. His experience of F2 in recent years, as well as the other series he’s raced in will be invaluable to Invicta Racing in 2025.
“I see the partnership between himself and Leonardo being extremely fruitful as well. That mix of approaches from a driver who knows the ropes and one fresh to the series will push the team forward, of that I have no doubt.”
Stanek’s signing at Invicta fills a seat left by Kush Maini, who will switch to DAMS in 2025 for his third F2 campaign, having thus far achieved
“I’m thrilled to be joining a team with such a strong pedigree and history in Formula 2 like DAMS Lucas Oil,” said Maini.
“I feel like my story in this championship isn’t completed yet, and I know that this is the right crew to help me further my career.
“I’ve taken pole positions and won races, so now it’s all about consistently delivering over the course of a campaign.
“I can’t wait to get started this week with post-season testing alongside Jak, and to form an experienced team as we look to battle for the championship in 2025.”
Dams Team Owner Charles Pic added: “We’re pleased to confirm Kush for next year as he’s a talented driver who has shown excellent raw speed throughout his time in the series.
“We know that together with our experienced team we can find the correct balance and ensure Kush has a consistent level of performance.
“We believe with Jak [Crawford] and Kush that we have a very strong partnership, which can help us to consistently fight at the front of the grid in 2025.”
READ MORE – Exclusive: Williams Academy Driver Luke Browning is targeting the 2025 F2 title
