Aitken discusses “massively competitive” F2 grid

With the recognition of FIA Formula 2 as the official feeder series for F1, the pathway to competing wheel for wheel with the elite of motorsport has never been clearer. No fewer than three drivers swapped the feeder series for F1 at the end of the 2018 season. George Russell joined Williams, Lando Norris signed for McLaren and Alex Albon now races for Toro Rosso. While, 2017 winner Charles Lerclerc is now competing for F1 heavyweights Ferrari.

The competition is fiercer, the stakes are higher and the glory is all the more tangible, and Campos Racing driver Jack Aitken is looking to fill the void left by last season’s prime trio. Aitken explained: “The competition is quite high this year, and I think that it is really difficult to predict anything in F2 because it is so dependent on how it suits each driver's natural style. Some will suit it much more than others, but I expect to be filling that vacuum.

“Last year was a bit crazy in terms of the driver market anyway and I think in F1 there was so much change that seats were available. What it shows is that F2 is definitely doing a good enough job of preparing drivers and the competition is higher than ever.

“In the past years, maybe there was more of a spread across different series, whereas now, all of the strong guys are in F2 which I think is massively competitive.”

The 23-year-old is now a test driver for Renault F1, having been a part of the Renault Sport Academy for over three years. Aitken explained how this aligns him as a stronger member of the team, while also allowing him more time to focus on F2 and his aim of challenging for the title this season.

“The biggest difference this year is that I am not part of the academy anymore - I have graduated from that as it was a three year tenure. So, I am more directly associated with the F1 team now. Compared to last year not much will change, I am still going to be attending quite a lot of the races and I will be the reserve driver when Sergey [Sirotkin] isn’t there, so I was in Australia for example.

“In the F2 events, I will be able to focus more on that side, which is better for me and this gives me a bit more space to do that, because last year was very busy.”

With a year’s experience and full focus now on the F2 Championship, eyes will be on Jack Aitken to perform. The 23-year-old spoke of his growing maturity and a continued belief in his abilities.

“This year, they have told me what they have always told me, go and get some results and then maybe in six months we will start speaking about next year. It is always the same in that sense, you get the results and then you sit down and talk. For me, I am trying to focus more on F2 this year.

“The expectation is pretty clear because I am into my second year. Last year was pretty tough, but now I feel more mature and have learned a few things about F2 specifically and we both expect me to be winning really.”

The beauty of being a part of an F1 academy programme is the depth of knowledge available to you. Aitken has been able to learn from drivers such as Nico Hülkenberg, Carlos Sainz and now Daniel Ricciardo, who between them amass 401 race starts.

Speaking about the newest addition to the Renault team, Ricciardo, Aitken praised: “I have only had a very brief chat with him so far, but he is by all accounts a lovely guy and very, very quick as well. It has already been interesting to listen to some of his comments on the car. Just like when it was Nico [Hülkenberg] and Carlos [Sainz], listening to those guys, they all have something to add and something to learn from.”

Aitken’s efforts in Baku, Azerbaijan hoisted him up to second in the standings,19 points behind current leader Nicholas Latifi. His first and third place finishes at the Baku City Circuit in the Feature and Sprint Races also helped lift Campos Racing into second in the Teams’ Championship.