John Bennett failed to match the expectations that followed his impressive Formula 2 debut, as a difficult 2025 campaign left the British driver with little to show for his first full season in the F2 championship.
High expectations after points on debut
Bennett surprised the paddock during his first Formula 2 appearance in late 2024. Van Amersfoort Racing drafted him in as a replacement for Enzo Fittipaldi for the final two rounds of the season at Lusail and Abu Dhabi.
Despite stalling at the start of his maiden race, Bennett produced a remarkable recovery drive. A well-timed Safety Car allowed him to unlap himself, and he climbed through the field to finish eighth on debut. That result alone delivered more points than he would score across his entire 2025 campaign.
Although his second weekend failed to yield points, Bennett still delivered a respectable performance under limited preparation. His showing marked him as a driver to watch and earned him a full-time Formula 2 seat for 2025. He also made history as the first driver to step directly from GB3 to Formula 2.
2025 proves less forgiving
Bennett entered the 2025 season with momentum, but early setbacks quickly stalled his progress. His difficulties began in Melbourne, where a challenging qualifying session left him on the back foot. During the Sprint Race, power cuts struck just as he approached the top ten, and he eventually finished P18. Heavy rain later forced organisers to cancel the Feature Race, denying him a chance at redemption.
He showed flashes of potential in Bahrain, but excessive tyre degradation prevented him from sustaining competitive pace across race distances.
Further misfortune followed in Jeddah. Damage to his suspension compromised qualifying, forcing him to start from the rear of the grid. Front wing damage later compounded his struggles and effectively ended his Feature Race hopes.
At Imola, an ill-judged strategic call left Bennett exposed in the closing stages, undoing what had otherwise shaped up as a promising weekend during his first European round of the season.
Positives amid the frustration
Despite the results, Bennett delivered several encouraging performances. He impressed on his Monaco debut with a strong recovery drive, gaining 11 positions and narrowly missing out on a top-ten finish.
In Barcelona, he engaged in several close battles with Victor Martins but sustained too much damage to remain in contention for points.
Austria marked a breakthrough moment when Bennett secured his first-ever Formula 2 Sprint Race pole. From there, he built momentum, finishing 12th at both Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone as his consistency improved.
The highest highs and the lowest lows
Hungary represented the lowest point of Bennett’s season. A ten-second penalty relegated him to the back of the field on Saturday, and he retired from Sunday’s Feature Race.
Italy, however, offered long-awaited reward. At Monza, Bennett executed a decisive overtake on Jak Crawford on the final lap to secure tenth place and his first point of the season. That result lifted him to 22nd in the 2025 Formula 2 standings.
Although he showed some promise in Qatar with another recovery drive, the season ended quietly in Abu Dhabi, where a mechanical failure cut short his final race.
What Bennett must improve in his 2026 F2 campaign
Bennett will return to the Formula 2 grid in 2026 with Trident, carrying valuable experience from a bruising rookie season. To mount a more successful campaign, he must focus on strategic execution across race weekends.
Improved qualifying performance will prove critical, as stronger grid positions can immediately reshape his weekends. A year of additional circuit knowledge should also play a decisive role.
He must further refine his understanding of the car and develop stronger tyre management skills. Better feel and feedback will reduce the performance drop-offs that plagued his 2025 races. The data and lessons gathered during his first full season will serve as an important foundation.
Ultimately, 2025 did not seem to reflect Bennett’s true potential. However, with experience, a new team, and clearer direction, all signs point towards a far more competitive second season in Formula 2. In 2026, Bennett alone will determine whether he turns promise into results.
