F2 Title Drama: Who Will Claim the Crown in the Final Showdown?

As the 2024 Formula 2 season reaches its thrilling conclusion, the title fight is down to a battle between two main contenders: Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar. With just two rounds remaining in the Middle East, these drivers are set for a high-stakes showdown, while Paul Aron still has an outside chance to take the title if things go drastically wrong for those ahead of him. But who will emerge victorious and claim the crown?

Gabriel Bortoleto: The Form Driver

Leading the charge with 169.5 points, Gabriel Bortoleto has shown exceptional consistency throughout the season. After securing the F3 title in his rookie season, the Brazilian has carried his momentum into F2, and his performance in the latter half of the season has been nothing short of impressive. Despite a rough start to the year, with three consecutive retirements in Jeddah and two Australia race mishaps, Bortoleto has steadily climbed the rankings through a series of strong feature race wins, including a memorable last-to-first victory at Monza.

His consistency, combined with his ability to avoid major mistakes, has made him the clear favourite to win the title. With his 2025 Sauber F1 seat already confirmed, the pressure to secure a Formula 1 future is off, allowing him to focus on finishing the season strong. If he maintains his current form, Bortoleto is well-positioned to claim the 2024 F2 championship.

Isack Hadjar: A Rocky Road to the Title

In contrast, Isack Hadjar has had a season marked by ups and downs. After a strong start, the Red Bull junior has seen his title challenge unravel due to a string of poor results. From leading the championship to slipping to second place with 165 points, Hadjar has been unable to find the same form that made him a favorite earlier in the season. His last 10 races have yielded only three points finishes, with two of them being feature race wins and the third a podium in Hungary.

However, Hadjar’s potential remains undeniable. With four wins to his name, he has shown that he is capable of turning things around, and the long break between races might have provided him with the opportunity to recharge. If he can rediscover his early-season pace, he will be a formidable challenger in the final rounds, though he has little room for error.

Paul Aron: The Dark Horse

While Bortoleto and Hadjar dominate the top of the standings, Paul Aron, with 133 points, is lurking in third place, hoping for a disaster to strike his rivals. The Estonian driver has been a model of consistency with seven podiums in the first half of the season but has struggled since, failing to finish higher than fifth in the last 11 races. Still, Aron’s consistency means that he is not out of the fight yet, but he will need a series of strong results and misfortune to befall the leaders to have any hope of clinching the title.

The Longshots: Crawford, Antonelli, and Martins

The rest of the contenders have an uphill battle. Jak Crawford (DAMS), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Prema), and Victor Martins (ART) all face daunting challenges, trailing by 53.5, 56.5, and 76.5 points respectively. For these drivers, the path to the title is a near impossibility, with a perfect run of results and hope for a series of DNFs from the top two required. However, with Crawford eager to prove himself, Antonelli already locked into a Mercedes F1 seat, and Martins needing to take every available point, the final rounds in Qatar could see these drivers push hard to salvage something from their seasons.

The Final Two Rounds

The final rounds in Qatar will be pivotal for the championship contenders. With Bortoleto in prime form and Hadjar hoping for a return to his early-season pace, the upcoming races will likely be a dramatic contest of skill, strategy, and perhaps even luck. If Bortoleto can keep his cool and maintain his current form, he looks set to claim the title. But with Hadjar capable of pulling off a spectacular comeback, anything is still possible in this gripping F2 title race.

The 2024 Formula 2 season is set for an exciting finish, with plenty of drama still to come as the battle for the championship intensifies.