Audi Driver Development Programme driver, Freddie Slater, will make the step up to F2 Invicta Racing next season.

The 18-year-old Briton was the first driver signed to the programme ahead of the 2026 season. Entering the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Trident Motorsport, he quickly established himself among the frontrunners and remained firmly in the fight for the title throughout the year, eventually finishing runner-up at the end of a standout rookie season, having collected one feature race victory, three pole positions and eight podium finishes.

The move to Formula 2 will see Slater join a team with a strong recent record in the championship, including consecutive Drivers' and Teams' titles in 2024 and 2025. The 2027 season will give him the opportunity to build on the experience gained in Formula 3 this year and continue his development in a highly competitive environment. Slater will get his first opportunity to work with the team during the Formula 2 post-season test, beginning preparations for his 2027 campaign.

After moving into car racing in 2022 and becoming the youngest-ever Ginetta Junior Winter Series Champion, Slater won the Ginetta Junior Championship the following year. In 2024, he claimed both the Italian and UAE Formula 4 titles before winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2025 and finishing runner-up in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship.

Throughout his 2027 F2 campaign, Slater will continue to receive support from the Audi Driver Development Programme, focused on supporting his development on and off the track as he progresses.

"The move to Formula 2 is the natural next step for Freddie," said Allan McNish, "and an important new phase of his development as a driver. He enjoyed a strong Formula 3 season, fighting for the title until the final round - showing his speed, race-craft and progress throughout the year. We are very proud of what Freddie has achieved this season and how he has developed along the way.

"Invicta Racing has had an excellent record in recent years, and we are delighted to be working with them. We believe it is the ideal environment for him, and we look forward to supporting him as he takes on this new challenge in 2027."

"I'm really excited to be stepping up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing next year," said Slater. "I learned a lot in Formula 3 this season, and I feel I have developed as a driver and as a person over the course of the year.

"Invicta has a great record in Formula 2, and I cannot wait to get started with the team and prepare for our campaign together. I am also very grateful for the continued support from the Audi Driver Development Programme. There is still a lot for me to learn, and I'm really looking forward to taking on this new challenge."

"We're delighted to welcome Freddie to Invicta Racing for 2027," said James Robinson, CEO and Team Principal of Invicta Racing. "To finish runner-up in the Formula 3 Championship in his first season is an outstanding achievement, particularly given the level of competition in the category.

"His results throughout the year, including a victory, three pole positions and eight podiums, underline the pace and consistency he has shown. Freddie has demonstrated that he is ready for the next challenge, and we're very excited to help him take that next step in Formula 2."