Wharton chases F1 attention in rookie F2 season

James Wharton will step up to Formula 2 with Trident in 2027, hoping a standout rookie season will finally put him on the radar of F1 teams. The 20-year-old Australian arrives after two inconsistent F3 campaigns, but insists he belongs alongside countrymen like Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan.

Why it matters:

Wharton is not affiliated with any F1 junior academy, making F2 his only stage to catch the eye of decision-makers. With Piastri and Doohan both proving the category can launch Australians into F1, his 2027 campaign carries extra significance. A strong season could open doors; another quiet one might close them.

The details:

• Wharton finished 17th in F3 this year with Prema, scoring 39 points and a sprint win at Barcelona plus a podium in Madrid.
• He previously raced for Trident at the Lusail F2 round in late 2025, and the team approached him during 2026 with an offer for a full campaign.
• "I just have to believe that I wouldn't be here if I wasn't good enough," Wharton said, referencing Doohan and Piastri as proof of what's possible.
• With no academy backing, he knows results alone aren't enough: "If I win five races but I don't catch an eye of someone, it doesn't really matter."
• Wharton has already re-immersed himself with Trident, traveling to Baku to observe teammates and prepare for 2027.

What's next:

F2 will introduce a revised car for 2027 with updated wings and an on-board starter, changes Wharton believes won't alter the fundamentals. He's planning the hardest two months of his career before post-season testing, determined to maximize every weekend. "If I have to put myself full time for the next 18 months to make my dream happen, that's what I'm going to do."