What is the difference between F1 and F2, the category in which Nico Varrone will race

Varrone’s name began to circulate a long time ago in Europe, but his arrival in F2 marks a new chapter. The category is considered the direct prelude to Formula 1where young talents test their speed, perseverance and technical ability before aspiring to the maximum competition.

However, many fans often wonder how different are these two series that, although they share a track and schedule on several dates, have completely different levels of demand, technology and budget. Understanding this gap helps to dimension the challenge that the Argentine will face.

What is the F2 category like and what difference does it have with Formula 1

Formula 2 is a single-seater championship created for train and measure drivers seeking to reach F1. All the cars are the same, something that changes radically compared to the premier class. The chassis are manufactured by Dallara, the gearboxes by Hewland and the engines are supplied by Mecachrome. That is to say, the talent of the driver outweighs the technical power of the team.

In Formula 1, on the other hand, each team designs and builds its own car. Brands like Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull invest millions in developing their own technology. From 2023, the budget limit is around 121 million euros, although that does not prevent the difference between a leading car and one at the bottom of the grid from continuing to be enormous.

The F1 cars reach powers close to 1,000 horsepowerwhile those in F2 are around 620. This gap translates into maximum speeds that can exceed 320 km/h in F1, against the average 290 km/h in F2. They also differ in weight: F1 cars are about 40 kilos heavier.

Another key difference is in the competition format. Formula 1 has weekends with training, qualifying and the main race, in addition to the already famous Sprint Races on some circuits. F2 also includes a sprint race, but with a particular system: the positions of the top 10 on the grid are reversed, forcing drivers to overtake if they want to score big points.

The scoring system also varies slightly. In F2, the maximum possible in a weekend is 39 pointsconsidering the pole, the two fastest laps and the two races. It is a scheme that seeks to reward consistency and risk, since one bad Sprint can ruin an entire weekend.

Regarding duration, F2 races usually last around an hour or 170 kilometerswhile those of F1 exceed 305. Both series share circuits – Monaco, Silverstone, Monza -, although F2 is not present in all the Grand Prix of the world calendar.

varrone.jpg

Nico Varrone, the Argentine who will race in F2 in 2026

With the confirmation of his arrival at Van Amersfoort Racing, Nicolás Varrone will once again put the Argentine flag in the prelude to F1a presence that had cooled after the passage of other compatriots through minor categories.

The Dutch team highlighted the incorporation of the young man from Buenos Aires as “a bet for the future” and valued his experience in endurance competitions such as the WEC and the IMSA. Its sports director, Brad Joyce, assured that the Varrone adaptation will be quick thanks to his international background and his ability to work as a team.

Varrone, trained in the Argentine Formula Renault 2.0, was enthusiastic: “I am very excited to join VAR. It is a huge step in my career and I want to show that I am ready for this challenge.” The Argentine will participate in the postseason test in Abu Dhabibefore the official start of the season on March 6, 2026 in Melbourne.

His European tour began in 2018 with the title of the V de V Challenge Monoplace, and since then he has not stopped growing. In recent years he has shone in endurance motorsport, winning the title at Le Mans, one of the temples of motor sport. Now, your goal is clear: approaching Formula 1 based on results and perseverance.

F2 2026 will have 14 rounds and 28 races. It will share several dates with F1, which means that Varrone will compete in iconic settings and under the gaze of the world’s main teams. His participation also coincides with the good moment of Franco Colapintoanother Argentine who seeks to consolidate himself in the premier category.

Although the jump to F1 is never guaranteed, Varrone will have the opportunity to show your talent on equal termsin a category where the stopwatch is the most implacable judge. If all goes well, 2026 could mark the beginning of a new era for Argentine drivers on the road to the top of world motorsport.