James Wharton Will Drive for Trident in 2027 Formula 2
The young driver joins the team full-time for the upcoming 2027 season after competing in Formula 3.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Motorsports
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James Wharton has officially signed to race for Trident in the 2027 Formula 2 championship. He moves into the seat following the completion of two full seasons in Formula 3.
Why it matters
The signing secures a full-time ride for Wharton in the secondary tier of open-wheel racing. This transition marks his permanent progression to the series after serving as a reserve and guest driver in previous years.
Wharton finished 17th in the 2026 Formula 3 standings with 39 points and eight points-scoring finishes. During the 2026 season, he achieved a sprint race win in Barcelona and a second-place finish at the season-ending Madrid round.
The players
James Wharton
He is a 20-year-old racing driver who has graduated to the Formula 2 series after a tenure in Formula 3.
Trident
This is an international motorsport team that competes in various open-wheel categories including Formula 2 and Formula 3.
Martinius Stenshorne
He is a professional racing driver who was previously replaced by Wharton during the 2025 Qatar Formula 2 round.
The details
Wharton gained previous experience with Trident during the 2025 Qatar round, where he stepped in to replace Martinius Stenshorne for a one-off appearance. The 20-year-old driver spent the last two years developing his skills in the Formula 3 circuit before finalizing this contract for 2027.
Timeline
2025: James Wharton made his Formula 2 debut in Qatar as a replacement driver.
2026: Wharton completed his second full season competing in Formula 3.
2027: The upcoming season marks Wharton's first full year with Trident in Formula 2.
Season Trajectory
Wharton's promotion aligns with the standard junior development path where drivers advance from Formula 3 to Formula 2 based on cumulative performance metrics. This shift impacts Trident's 2027 competitive standing following their 7th-place rank in the 2026 team standings.
Wharton will fill one of the two available seats at Trident for the 2027 season, directly impacting the team's ability to challenge for the Constructors' Championship. His entry confirms a major roster change for a squad that finished 7th in the team standings during the 2026 campaign.
The takeaway
Advancing to Formula 2 represents a significant step up in vehicle performance and technical requirements for young drivers. Riders like Wharton often face a steep learning curve as they transition from the lower-tier chassis used in Formula 3 to the more complex machinery of Formula 2.
Further reading
For more on upcoming talent shifts, visit the Motorsports section.
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