Audi’s Freddie Slater Is Moving Up to Formula 2 for 2027

[Source: Audi Revolut F1 Team]

Audi’s first Driver Development Program signing is moving one step closer to the top of the motorsport ladder. Freddie Slater will race in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Invicta Racing in 2027, following an impressive rookie season in Formula 3.

The 18-year-old Briton joined Audi’s development program ahead of the 2026 season and wasted little time demonstrating why the company wanted him. Racing for Trident Motorsport in Formula 3, Slater remained in championship contention through the final round before ultimately finishing second. He ended his rookie campaign with one feature-race victory, three pole positions, and eight podium finishes.

That’s enough to earn him a promotion to Formula 2, and he’s joining a team that knows a thing or two about winning. Invicta Racing claimed consecutive Drivers’ and Teams’ championships in 2024 and 2025. Slater will begin working with the team during the Formula 2 post-season test as preparations begin for his 2027 campaign.

Formula 2 is simply the latest step in what has been a remarkably quick climb through the junior ranks. Slater moved into car racing in 2022 and became the youngest-ever Ginetta Junior Winter Series champion. He followed that by winning the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2023, capturing both the Italian and UAE Formula 4 titles in 2024, and winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2025.

“The move to Formula 2 is the natural next step for Freddie,” said Allan McNish, director of the Audi Driver Development Program, adding that Slater demonstrated his “speed, racecraft and progress” throughout his F3 season.

Audi will continue supporting Slater both on and off the track throughout his 2027 Formula 2 campaign. And while Audi hasn’t promised him a future Formula 1 seat, the significance of the move is obvious. Formula 2 sits directly below F1 on the FIA single-seater ladder, giving Slater an opportunity to demonstrate whether he can continue his rapid progression against even tougher competition.

There are no guarantees on the road to Formula 1, but Slater keeps checking the right boxes. Formula 2 will be his toughest test yet, and potentially the one that determines whether his journey with Audi eventually reaches an F1 cockpit.