James Wharton has finally secured his second chance in Formula 2. The young Australian driver has been officially announced as Trident Motorsport's first driver for the 2027 season, marking a significant step in his career after a challenging year in Formula 3.
Wharton, now 20 years old, becomes the second driver confirmed for the 2027 F2 grid following Invicta Racing's signing of Freddie Slater. But for Wharton, this is a reunion. He previously raced for Trident in Qatar at the end of 2025, called up at short notice to fill the seat vacated by Max Esterson. Now, he returns as a full-time driver.
Wharton's journey to F2 has been anything but smooth. After finishing runner-up in Formula Regional Europe in 2024 behind Rafael Camara, he stepped up to FIA F3 with ART Grand Prix and took a sprint race win at the Red Bull Ring. In 2025 he returned to Prema, the team that nurtured his single-seater career, but the results fell short. He could only manage 17th in the standings, despite winning a reverse-grid race in Barcelona and scoring a sprint podium at Madring.
Trident team manager Giacomo Ricci welcomed Wharton enthusiastically. "He is undoubtedly a highly talented driver, and he has successfully progressed through all the top junior categories, consistently showing that, whenever given the opportunity, he has the ability to compete at the front. We are very happy to begin this journey together," he said.
Ricci also emphasised the team's commitment to giving Wharton the best possible preparation. "2027 will be James' rookie season in Formula 2, and we will do everything we can to give him the best possible preparation. He is a very dedicated and hard-working driver, and we are confident that, by working together, we can put ourselves in a position to be competitive and deliver consistently strong performances throughout the 2027 season."
For Wharton, returning to Trident feels special. "To be able to return to Trident after racing with them in 2025 is something really special. We worked very well together and they are a very prestigious team that has done a great job over the last few seasons," he said. He also thanked Ricci and Maurizio Salvadori for the opportunity.
With Wharton on board, Trident adds strength ahead of the 2027 season. One seat remains to be announced in due course. Meanwhile, Wharton will focus on winter preparation to ensure he is ready to compete in the fiercely competitive F2 championship.
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