Formula 2 returns for its final rounds of the 2025 season in Lusail and Yas Marina, with John Bennett eager to score points and end his season on a high. The Van Amersfoort Racing driver made his F2 debut at the 2024 Lusail round and scored points with a P8 before finishing P15 and P14 at the Yas Marina Circuit. He hopes his experience will support him after a tough season. He is currently 20th in the drivers’ standings with 1 point from the Monza Feature Race.
Looking back at his F2 debut
Speaking ahead of the 2025 F2 Lusail Round, the Brit revisited his first F2 weekend, where he finished P8 in the Feature Race.
“It was a super special weekend for sure,” Bennett said. “My first time in F2, my first time on a F1 weekend, it was completely unexpected. It’s a very different feeling walking into the paddock now, and I am really looking forward to it.”
“It’s my first time repeating a track, so that experience will really help, and I can’t wait to get started. I was strong last year for my debut, and I can’t wait to go again.”
Back on track
After a long break, Bennett is eager to return to racing, despite having enjoyed his time off. However, the Van Amersfoort driver knows that he needs to settle in quickly.
“It’s great to be back in the paddock, I definitely missed it, feels like it’s been quite a while. The break was nice, but it’s great to be back in the paddock.“
“I think now it’s really just about getting settled in as soon as possible again. It’s been a big break for everyone, but it’s about getting back in the car, and feeling comfortable straight away.”
He continued: “It’s a very high speed track and you need a lot of confidence, so you want to start building up as much as you can.”
A season of growth
Despite a difficult season, Bennett reflected on his growing confidence with Van Amersfoort Racing.
“I’ve definitely progressed a lot over the past year,” said Bennett. “But it has been a tricky season, it has not been as strong as we would have hoped, or as strong as we were when I jumped in last year.’
“But it’s come on in a lot of ways. Every round we are still learning and improving, and I will just be putting everything out there for these last two rounds and with a bit of experience, that will help too.”
“Looking back, I qualified P10 at the Red Bull Ring, was on Sprint pole, and the race pace was very strong, but just unfortunately I was involved in a last lap incident.”
This incident occurred when Amaury Cordeel spun on track, triggering a three-car collision.
“We also struggled a bit in the first half of the year with the race pace and the tyre deg, but we’ve solved that the last couple of rounds, and we’ve been getting a lot stronger.”
“Monza, I scored my first points and Baku was strong race pace,” having finished P10 in the Monza Feature and P13 and P14 in Baku. “So we are really moving in a good direction with the car, but nailing quali is important to start the weekend in the right way.”
F2 finale goals
With confidence growing and two familiar tracks left, Bennett now has one final chance to turn his progress into points.
“I think points are the aim,” he highlights. “Obviously, I was P8 last year on my first ever weekend. So good results last year, and this year I am aiming for the points again.”
“I’d love to finish the year on the podium, that’s a goal of mine, but challenging in the top 10 is where I want to be,” he concluded.
