Sebastian Montoya is set to step up to Formula 2 in the 2025 season, taking the next step in his career on the road to F1.
The Colombian driver is in line to begin his first full campaign in the championship next season after two mediocre years in FIA F3.
Montoya lacked raw pace throughout his stint in Formula 3, enduring multiple consecutive rounds without scoring points.
He competed for Campos and Hitech in the championship, but failed to put together a title-challenging campaign. Now, Montoya faces a tricky situation while looking to graduate from F3 to F2 come 2025.
Montoya is expected to move up to Formula 2 next season and race in the final step on the junior ladder, although his team is yet to be announced.
Father Juan Pablo Montoya has been closely following his son’s progress through the ranks and has told AS Colombia how Sebastian can be best prepared for his first race in F2.
Juan Pablo Montoya reveals Sebastian Montoya has a test in an old F2 car ‘already organised’
Seat time is vital in Formula 2 for rookies to adjust to the higher level of downforce and added power which makes the car more challenging to drive.
In F2, cars can only be driven during official tests outside of race weekends, which can make it a steep learning curve for first-year drivers to adjust to.
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This lack of testing time can be eased by running slightly older Formula 2 cars, to adapt to the extra speed as well as the turbo lag from the Mecachrome engine.
Montoya explained his son has some outings lined up in an older Formula 2 car and that they are looking for an opportunity to compete in the closing stages of the 2024 championship.
He said: “We are trying to see if we can do the last two races. There is an opportunity that we are looking for, and we are going to see. On the other side, about next year let’s say that it is already ready.
“Sebastian is already starting to drive one of the old cars this week to start preparing, that is already organised. The thing about the last two races is it is an option that exists, but there is nothing concrete.”
Montoya junior confirmed to ESPN ahead of the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez that he will move up to Formula 2, but cannot reveal the team.
He said: “I can’t say who exactly yet, but I will be moving up next year.”
Racing in F2 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi ahead of next year will be a significant help for Sebastian Montoya
Montoya may have the chance to compete in Formula 2 at the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, which would boost his preparation ahead of 2025.
This experience in Formula 2 would help Montoya adjust to two new circuits he has very little experience on, ahead of returning to them next season.
They are both tricky circuits to master as they require a lot of tyre management due to the hot temperatures, and the Pirelli rubber is notoriously difficult to grasp.
Other drivers who are searching for a drive in F2, such as Gabriele Mini and Luke Browning, have already competed in the series in Baku.
This could give them an advantage over Montoya as they are more familiar with the car if he can’t compete later this year.