Ahead of the 2026 Formula 2 (F2) season, Oliver Goethe spoke to the media, including Pit Debrief, reflecting on the lessons of 2025 and outlining a clear objective for his second year with MP Motorsport.
Goethe’s 2025 campaign proved to be one of progression rather than immediate reward. While results did not always reflect his underlying speed, the second half of the season showed marked improvement, particularly in qualifying. Now entering a new year with the Dutch team, he believes that momentum can form the foundation of a title challenge.
Looking back on last season, Goethe described it as uneven but encouraging in key areas. “I think last year was a bit of a strange season,” he said. “I started off missing quite a lot of pace in qualifying. I think this really improved throughout the year.”
“My goal is to continue with that momentum. I think the last few rounds, even the whole second half of the season, I had really good pace. I didn’t really maximise the results. I had a lot of moments with bad luck, but also some mistakes which cost the results, but the pace was definitely there.”
Despite setbacks, he believes the raw speed he demonstrated late in the year positions him strongly for 2026.
“So I’m just looking to build on that momentum, continue the strong qualifying and then maximise the results in the races. I think I have a really good chance to fight at the top of the championship if I’m able to do that.”
A new dynamic at MP Motorsport
When asked by Pit Debrief about adjusting to a new teammate, Gabriele Minì, following his close working relationship with Richard Verschoor last season, Goethe spoke warmly about what he gained from that partnership while expressing confidence in the new pairing.
“First of all, I had a great relationship. Well, I still have a great relationship with Richard [Verschoor]. I learned a lot from him. He had a lot of experience in Formula 2, and he was a very quick driver. So I was able to learn a lot from him. And I’m grateful for all the help he’s given me.”
Now partnered with Gabriele Minì, Goethe sees opportunity rather than instability.
“With Gabriele [Minì], we get along well. I think, you know, we’re both, let’s say, same age, same level of experience. So there’s still things to learn from each other. He’s a very, very quick driver.”
While some might expect him to step into a more defined leadership role in his second year with the team, Goethe maintains a pragmatic view.
“So yeah, regarding, like, let’s say, the leadership role. I think it definitely helps to do a second year with the same team. The team already knows you. So you start at a point where you already know what to work on, pretty much. So I think that’s helpful. But at the end of the day, it’s what you do on track that makes the difference.”
The power of the right mindset
Beyond technical improvements, Goethe highlighted the importance of mentality as he prepares for the new campaign. He believes confidence played a decisive role in his late season surge and intends to carry that approach into 2026.
“I think the mental approach is so important. The mentality is, let’s say, underrated in racing. I think the confidence you have really makes a difference.”
He credits his strong finish to 2025 to a shift in mindset as much as car performance.
“So I’m going in it with, I think, a good mindset. I think in the last few rounds that’s proven that with my pace. You know, just doing everything you can, on and off track to be quick on track. That’s really what it is at the end of the day. And the quicker you get on the speed, the more confidence you have.”
For Goethe, confidence and speed feed one another. He plans to build on that cycle rather than reset it.
“The approach is to basically continue that momentum that I’ve had in the last few rounds where the pace was strong. And I think we can really work on something great with this mindset.”
