Trident Motorsport has announced the addition of James Wharton as the first of two drivers who will compete in the FIA Formula 2 championship for 2027.
The 20-year-old Australian is the second confirmed driver for next season, after Invicta Racing signed Freddie Slater.
Wharton made his F2 debut with Trident in Qatar at the end of 2025, with a last-minute call-up to take the place left by Max Esterson.
After finishing second in the Formula Regional Europe in 2024, he moved up to FIA Formula 3 with ART Grand Prix, where he achieved a victory in the sprint race at the Red Bull Ring.
In 2025, he returned to Prema, the team with which he started his single-seater career, but could only improve one position in the standings, finishing in 17th place, as the team faced difficulties.
Wharton also won an inverted grid race in Barcelona, ending the season with another podium in the sprint race at Madring.
Giacomo Ricci, team director of Trident, welcomed Wharton, highlighting that “he is undoubtedly a very talented driver, who has successfully progressed through all junior categories, proving that whenever given the opportunity, he is capable of competing at the front. We are very pleased to start this journey together”.
Ricci added that the 2027 season will be Wharton’s debut in Formula 2 and expressed his confidence in his dedication and work, ensuring that they will work together to be competitive.
Wharton, for his part, expressed his gratitude to Trident for this new opportunity after a tough year in FIA F3. “Returning to Trident after competing with them in 2025 is really something special. We worked very well together and they are a very prestigious team that has done a great job in recent seasons”.
He also expressed his excitement about joining the team and working intensively during the winter to arrive in 2027 in the best possible shape. “I cannot thank Trident enough and I am really looking forward to starting this new chapter in my career”.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
