Audi F1 Junior Freddie Slater Secures F2 Deal for 2027 Season

Slater Secures 2027 F2 Seat with Invicta Racing

Formula 3 runner-up Freddie Slater has confirmed his graduation to the FIA Formula 2 Championship for the 2027 season, signing with the Norfolk-based Invicta Racing squad. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the 18-year-old British driver, who serves as a junior for the Audi Formula 1 programme and was recruited to spearhead the manufacturer’s new Driver Development Programme in 2026.

Slater’s ascent has been rapid. After capturing the 2024 Italian F4 Championship and the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine titles, he stepped up to Formula 3 with the Trident team for the 2026 campaign. Despite being classified as a rookie—though he contested two rounds in 2025—Slater immediately demonstrated title credentials, stringing together four consecutive feature-race podiums to seize the championship lead heading into the summer break.

Strong Rookie Campaign Yields Runner-Up Finish

A late-season points drought, where Slater accrued just 15 points across the final five rounds, allowed Campos Racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu to overtake him in the standings. Nevertheless, the Briton finished a comfortable second in the final classification, securing eight total podiums including a feature-race victory in Hungary. He topped the rookie standings ahead of second-year driver Tuukka Taponen and fellow debutant Taito Kato.

“I’m really excited to be stepping up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing next year,” Slater said. “I learned a lot in Formula 3 this season, and I feel I have developed as a driver and as a person over the course of the year. Invicta has a great record in Formula 2, and I cannot wait to get started with the team and prepare for our campaign together. I am also very grateful for the continued support from the Audi Driver Development Programme. There is still a lot for me to learn, and I’m really looking forward to taking on this new challenge.”

Following a Proven Championship Pathway

Slater’s move replicates a highly successful trajectory established in recent years. The Trident-to-Invicta pipeline has delivered three consecutive Formula 3 champions—Gabriel Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara—who all transitioned to the Norfolk outfit for their rookie F2 campaigns. Bortoleto and Fornaroli each captured the F2 title in their first attempt, while Camara currently sits a close second in the 2026 standings, keeping the streak alive.

Audi Driver Development Programme director Allan McNish emphasized the strategic fit. “The move to Formula 2 is the natural next step for Freddie, and an important new phase of his development as a driver,” said Audi Driver Development Programme director Allan McNish. “He enjoyed a strong Formula 3 season, fighting for the title until the final round – showing his speed, racecraft and progress throughout the year. We are very proud of what Freddie has achieved this season and how he has developed along the way. Invicta Racing has had an excellent record in recent years, and we are delighted to be working with them. We believe it is the ideal environment for him, and we look forward to supporting him as he takes on this new challenge in 2027.”

Why This Matters

Slater’s promotion underscores Audi’s long-term investment in young talent ahead of its anticipated Formula 1 entry. By placing their junior in a team with a documented history of developing rookie champions, the German manufacturer maximizes the probability of immediate competitiveness in F2. For Invicta Racing, securing a driver of Slater’s calibre—backed by a major OEM programme—reinforces their status as the premier destination for F3 graduates. The 2027 season will test whether Slater can convert his qualifying pace and racecraft into a title challenge, emulating Bortoleto and Fornaroli, or whether the step up in tyre management and race strategy presents a steeper learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions