The Grand Prix Proving Ground

As it reaches its 50th year, we track the roots of Formula 2.

- Paul Lawrence

Between 1967 and 1984 Formula 2 was Grand Prix racing’s waiting room. Just about everyone destined for the pinnacle of the sport had to first prove themselves in Formula 2. Each of the 18 European Formula 2 Champions went on to race in F1 and over the same period 13 World Drivers’ titles went to former F2 racers.

At the height of its pomp, Formula 2 had big grids, quality drivers, glorious cars that made the right noises and some spectacular racing. Through the 1970s, when F1 drivers joined in on their spare weekends, a gaggle of talented racers used F2 as the most effective springboard into the grand prix arena. Inevitably, times move on and F2 finally reached its sell-by date in the early to mid-1980s. But there has never been a better second string single-seater category.

The story of Formula 2 dates back to 1948 although the concept of a category beneath grand prix racing has its origins in pre-war racing for 1500cc Voiturettes. Into the early 1950s, the two-litre F2 class allowed drivers and manufacturers, notably Cooper, to move up the racing ladder. In fact, in 1952 and 1953 there were so few genuine F1 cars that the rounds of the World Championship ran for F2 cars.

The sport changed in 1954 with the introduction of the 2.5-litre Grand Prix regulations, a move that sent F2 into a period of decline but it was reintroduced in 1957 for 1500cc cars and Cooper, using the four-cylinder version of the fire pump based Coventry Climax engine, enjoyed great success. The basis of that Cooper took the company into F1 and so began the rear-engined revolution.