Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. enters the 2026 Formula 2 season with AIX Racing after spending the previous year building a strong working relationship with the team in preparation for the challenge ahead. The 19-year-old Brazilian progressed through the single-seater ranks, most recently competing in Eurocup-3, and secured his place with AIX Racing for the 2026 campaign last July.
His debut weekend in Melbourne offered an early glimpse of his potential. However, a late red flag in Qualifying dropped him to P19, but he recovered well to finish P14 in the Sprint Racing and P15 in the Feature Race—a steady start to his Formula 2 career.
Fittipaldi on preparing for the 2026 F2 season
Ahead of his 2026 season, Fittipaldi spoke about his preparations and what he hopes to achieve in his maiden F2 campaign. He pointed to the simulator work completed with AIX Racing over 2025 as a key part of his preparation.
“I’m feeling very excited, it will be a very good test, and I’m looking forward to the season. The whole of last year, I’ve been with AIX, working with them on simulator work and everything.”
He noted that this preparation paid dividends during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi, while acknowledging the learning curve of stepping into a new category.
“It’s been a lot of simulator work with the team to develop my driving skills and getting used to the car and it paid off quite well in Abu Dhabi post-season test, which was not so bad, it was quite good. But it’s just another car and another category, just something new to learn,” he stated.
When asked about differences between F2 and his previous categories, he explained the adjustments needed: “For sure, it’s a different car, different seating position, it changes a bit here, it changes a bit there, just having to adapt overall like any other new car you go into.”
He also focused on race preparation. “I did a lot of quali runs, a lot of race runs, a lot of laps and a lot of pit stops to be ready, because that’s something new for me, that’s something I need to get used to. I’ve also been training physically, giving my all over the winter break and hopefully it’ll pay off in the next few months and in the next few rounds,” he added.
With that groundwork complete, Fittipaldi now continues to adapt to the championship as the 2026 F2 season progresses.
Fittipaldi credits AIX Racing support ahead of the season
Fittipaldi credited the strong support network within the AIX Racing garage, including guidance from former teammate Joshua Dürksen, who has since moved to Invicta Racing for 2026.
“The team is very excited to have me with them and I worked with them last year incredibly well. Also, Joshua Dürksen helped me a lot. Now he has moved to Invicta, but last year working with him was amazing. Working with him in the simulator, I got a lot of information from him, so I give a lot of credit to him.”
He added that the team has been proactive in preparing him for a wide range of race scenarios:
“Everybody in the team is really trying to help me and trying to teach me everything I need to know, giving me all the possibilities that could happen, to be ready for anything,” he stated.
Fittipaldi sets his sights on a race win for the 2026 F2 season
With the groundwork laid, Fittipaldi was clear about his goals for the 2026 F2 season. He acknowledged that results will follow from the effort put in rather than expectation alone.
“Obviously, you want to win,” he acknowledged. “I’m not here to play games, I’m here to give my best and to do my best.”
He emphasised consistency and effort. “But winning is a consequence of the work you put in before. So, that’s what I’m aiming the most, putting in the work and then I know the win will come,” he concluded.
After the opening round in Melbourne, Fittipaldi sits 19th in the 2026 F2 Drivers’ Standings, alongside experienced teammate Cian Shields, as he continues to adapt to the demands of F2.
