Juan Pablo Montoya Critiques F2 Financial Demands
The former F1 driver says rising costs and a global calendar make Formula 2 seats increasingly expensive.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Motorsports
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Juan Pablo Montoya has criticized the high financial barriers currently required to secure a seat in Formula 2. He noted that the expansion of the race calendar is driving up operational costs for teams.
Why it matters
The rising costs of competing in Formula 2 limit opportunities for talented drivers who lack personal wealth or major sponsorship. As calendars shift to include more global events, teams are forced to rely on heavy financial backing from drivers to offset expenses.
A single season of Formula 2 now requires an investment of approximately £2-2.3 million. Sebastian Montoya, currently 17th in the championship, represents the financial challenges facing young drivers in the series today.
The players
Juan Pablo Montoya
He is a former Formula 1 driver and champion who now critiques the economic structure of junior racing categories.
Sebastian Montoya
He is a 21-year-old driver currently competing in his second season of Formula 2 with Prema Racing.
Prema Racing
This Italian motorsport team is a prominent participant in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and other junior series.
The details
Drivers are currently forced to secure seats by providing substantial personal wealth or major sponsorship to teams. To maintain operations, teams often use funds from well-backed drivers to subsidize the participation of others.
Timeline
2016: F2 featured two or three races held outside of Europe.
2026: The race calendar expanded to include five or six events outside of Europe.
October 2026: Juan Pablo Montoya discussed the rising costs of the series in an interview.
Season Trajectory
The expansion of the racing calendar away from its traditional European base fundamentally alters the financial requirements for every team on the grid. This shift creates a more exclusive environment that privileges wealthy backers over traditional meritocratic progression.
The high cost of entry essentially creates a pay-to-play system that restricts the talent pool for future Formula 1 seats. Fans and scouts should note that sponsorship backing is now as critical as lap times for maintaining a competitive seat in the series.
The takeaway
The increasing globalization of racing schedules adds significant logistical expenses that teams pass directly to drivers. Aspiring racers must secure substantial funding to remain competitive in the current Formula 2 landscape.
Further reading
For more analysis on current trends, visit our Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GPfans.
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Should financial backing be a primary requirement for drivers to compete in junior-level racing series?
