F3 second-place finisher Freddie Slater secures F2 contract for the 2027 season.

Formula 3 runner-up and Audi Formula 1 junior Freddie Slater is set to advance to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027.

The 2024 Italian F4 and 2025 Formula Regional European champion was recruited by Audi to lead its newly established Driver Development Programme in 2026, while he transitioned to F3 with Trident.

With four consecutive feature-race podium finishes, Slater took the championship lead from sophomore Ugo Ugochukwu heading into the summer break, but he only added 15 more points in the last five races of the season, allowing the Campos driver to overtake him in the title fight.

Despite this, Slater was the top rookie of the season – having participated in two rounds in 2025. With eight podiums, including a victory in Hungary, the 18-year-old Brit secured the runner-up position ahead of second-year Tuukka Taponen and fellow newcomer Taito Kato.

“I’m really thrilled to be moving up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing next year,” Slater expressed. “I gained a lot of experience in Formula 3 this season, and I feel I have grown both as a driver and an individual over the year.

“Invicta has an impressive history in Formula 2, and I can’t wait to start working with the team and get ready for our campaign together. I’m also very thankful for the ongoing support from the Audi Driver Development Programme. There’s still much for me to learn, and I’m eager to embrace this new challenge.”

Rafael Camara, Invicta Racing

The transition from Trident to Invicta has proven highly successful in recent years, with multiple instances of consecutive titles.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara claimed the last three F3 championships with the Italian team before moving to the Norfolk-based squad in F2 – where Bortoleto and Fornaroli captured championships as rookies. Currently sitting in a strong second place in the 2026 standings, Camara has a solid chance to replicate their success.

Although he narrowly missed out on the F3 title, these are the benchmarks Slater will aim to follow in 2027.

“The advancement to Formula 2 is the logical next step for Freddie, marking an important new phase in his growth as a driver,” stated Audi Driver Development Programme director Allan McNish.

“He had a strong Formula 3 season, contending for the title until the last race – demonstrating his speed, racecraft, and development throughout the year. We are very proud of Freddie’s accomplishments this season and how he has progressed along the way.

“Invicta Racing has an outstanding track record in recent years, and we are excited to collaborate with them. We believe it provides the perfect environment for him, and we look forward to supporting him as he undertakes this new challenge in 2027.”