Emerson Fittipaldi Jr is preparing for one of the most ambitious rookie campaigns on the 2026 FIA Formula 2 (F2) grid, making the direct jump from Eurocup-3 to compete with AIX Racing.
While most drivers follow the traditional path through FIA Formula 3 before reaching Formula 2, Fittipaldi Jr has chosen to fast-track his progression up the single-seater ladder. For the Brazilian — and son of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi — the opportunity to move closer to his Formula 1 dream was one he simply could not turn down.
A leap of faith
When asked by Pit Debrief in a virtual press conference, the 18-year-old expanded on the decision to bypass FIA F3 and take on the challenge of F2 with AIX Racing in 2026, describing the move as both unexpected and impossible to refuse.
“Basically, we actually got this opportunity to jump from EuroCup 3 to Formula 2 and we couldn’t say no to it,” he explained. “I feel like I adapt to the car quite well.“
Rather than viewing the jump as overwhelming, the Brazilian driver has embraced the challenge head-on. He believes his natural adaptability behind the wheel has helped ease the transition to the significantly more powerful and complex Formula 2 machinery.
“I like to drive the car and I find it fun and it’s my passion and it’s a step closer to Formula 1, which that’s my dream.”
“So it’s just a learning curve for me this year. I have to learn a lot and progress with the team. AIX is helping me a lot to do this big step I’ve made. So yeah, just hopefully hope for the best for this year.”
His background in single-seaters
Before stepping up to F2 with AIX Racing in 2026, Emmerson Fittipaldi Jr built crucial single-seater experience in Eurocup-3.
Eurocup-3 has quickly established itself as a competitive proving ground for young drivers transitioning from Formula 4 machinery toward higher levels of European single-seaters. The championship uses Formula Regional–level cars, offering increased power, downforce and technical complexity compared to entry-level categories, making it an important developmental step.
In 2024, Fittipaldi Jr embarked on his first full Eurocup-3 campaign following a steady progression through the junior ranks. He previously competed in Danish F4 in 2021, Italian F4 in 2022, and the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023.
His 2024 season with MP Motorsport proved to be a breakthrough year. Fittipaldi Jr finished fifth in the championship standings, securing one victory and four podium finishes across the campaign. The results marked a significant step forward in both consistency and outright pace, demonstrating his growing confidence in higher-downforce machinery.
He returned to Eurocup-3 in 2025 with MP, aiming to build on that momentum, ultimately concluding the season 11th in the standings. While the results did not mirror his previous campaign, the experience added further mileage and technical understanding, elements that would prove valuable ahead of his promotion to Formula 2.
Building foundations early
While the move may appear sudden from the outside, the groundwork was laid well before the public announcement. Fittipaldi Jr revealed that discussions with AIX Racing began toward the end of the 2024 season, with both sides committing to a long-term development approach from the outset.
“Basically, the opportunity came up as late 2024 already and we started speaking about it already,” he said. “And, you know, I started working with, I already started meeting the team people around the end of the season in 2024.”
“And, you know, we started working together already the whole season last year in simulators and me going to the races. So it started an early relationship. So that’s why we did an earlier announcement.”
“But yeah, I mean, I’ve been developing with them a lot about my skills and learning a lot with them and just progressing step by step. And hopefully one day, hopefully one day we can bring a lot of victories to AIX Racing.”
For Fittipaldi Jr, 2026 represents both a bold leap and a vital learning opportunity in F2 with AIX Racing. With early preparation behind him and a clear long-term ambition in sight, the Brazilian now turns his focus to translating that development work into performance on track.
