Cian Shields begins his 2026 FIA Formula 2 campaign with a renewed sense of purpose, returning to AIX Racing for a second consecutive F2 season. Shields enters the year with a clearer understanding of both the car and the championship, aiming to convert his rookie-year experience into stronger results and greater consistency.
Having completed a full debut season in 2025, Shields now approaches each race with greater confidence and familiarity. His goal is straightforward: build on last year’s foundations and take a meaningful step forward in competitiveness while delivering early results for himself and the team.
Experience driving confidence as Shields tackles 2026 F2 campaign with AIX Racing
Shields highlighted how much more prepared he feels compared to his rookie season, pointing to both track knowledge and car familiarity as key advantages heading into 2026.
“I’m definitely feeling more prepared than last year. Obviously, it’s now the second year in F2, so the experience of all the tracks we’ve been to and having driven the car there, it definitely helps.
“There’s a bit more expectation for me to perform, a bit more pressure on that side of things but, overall, I’m really looking forward to the year.”
That added expectation brings its own challenges, but Shields believes it reflects his development as a driver. With a full season of experience behind him, he now understands how to manage both the car and the demands of a highly competitive field.
Learning through testing and development
Reflecting on his progression, Shields compared his early F2 experience with his more recent testing programme, highlighting the significant improvements made in both driving and team collaboration.
“The post-season test in ‘24 – I’d only done two rounds previous, so a lot of it was still new to me driving-wise and I was still learning the car and getting to grips with Abu Dhabi.
“In 2025, we were actually able to work a bit more on the car itself and prepare more for the year ahead. We could do a bit more development with the car rather than focus more on the driving.”
Consistency within the team environment has also played a key role in Shields’ preparation. Despite some personnel changes, he feels confident in the structure and balance that AIX Racing provides.
“I think we have a good team behind us and while there’s a few personnel changes, overall, I was happy with the people I had around me last year. We have a pretty good balance as a team, and I think we’ll be able to work well throughout the year.”
The continuity from 2025 has helped build trust and understanding, which Shields believes will translate into improved results. With a better grasp of how the team operates, both sides can now focus on extracting performance more efficiently.
Shields targeting a strong start to 2026 F2 season
Looking ahead, Shields recognises the unpredictable nature of F2, where performance can fluctuate from round to round. However, he remains focused on maximising every opportunity and building momentum early in the season.
“Anything can happen in F2, so it’s kind of difficult to set a goal, but obviously everyone wants to do the best that they can. That’s the main focus and a good haul of points in the first few rounds is how we want to start the season.”
By prioritising early consistency, Shields aims to establish a solid platform for the remainder of the campaign. If he can combine his experience with a strong start, Shields could position himself as a regular points scorer and a driver to watch in 2026.
