by Alex Johnston
Since the 2023 racing season came to a close, the source of many talking point for fans have been the multiple driver moves across many series. A number of big names from ex-F1 drivers, lower formula stars and IndyCar pilots have moved around and many have caught the eye, here are five that stood out for me.
1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli - FRECA with PREMA to Formula 2 with FRECA
Not by any means a 'surprise' move for Italian teenager Antonelli but definitely one that got people talking.
The Mercedes junior has the full backing of the team as he 'skips' Formula 3 and moves to F2 to partner title contender Ollie Bearman on the second rung of the formula ladder.
'Skipping' levels isn't fully commonplace in racing but with the likes of Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas(among others) all have been examples of drivers to do so and still be successful - and even World Champion - despite missing a step in the ladder, it shows how good a driver you have to be to progress as Antonelli is doing.
2. Callum Ilott - IndyCar with Juncos Hollinger to WEC Hypercar with Jota Sport
Former Ferrari Driver Academy member Ilott has had something of a fallout with Juncos Hollinger, so soon after the team had announced a 'strategic partnership' with McLaren which seemed geared towards the Brit eventually racing for the the 'Arrow' team in IndyCar.
Instead, Ilott and Juncos parted ways and the former F2 race winner linked up with Jota Sport in the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Champion, where he can certainly compete for wins and perhaps even a title with his teammates Will Stevens and Norman Nato. In the other Jota entry? Jenson Button, Oliver Rasmussen and Phillip Hanson. Strong.
3. Kush Maini - Formula 2 with Campos Racing to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing
Kush Maini is India's best bet at an F1 driver since the days of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. He's impressed and improved massively over two seasons in F3(2022) and F2(2023), becoming incredibly consistent as a points and race finisher.
Recently signed by Alpine's Academy, mentored by Mika Hakkinen, he's one to watch as he joins a team who have helped Zhou Guanyu into F1, and helped develop two current F1 reserves in the shape of Jack Doohan and Felipe Drugovich. It'll be interesting to see how he fares as the de facto team leader next to F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.
4. Linus Lundqvist - Indycar stand in with Meyer Shank to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing
2022 Indy Lights(now Indy NXT) champion Lundqvist inexplicably found himself without a 2023 IndyCar seat but after debuting with Meyer Shank in place of the injured Simon Pagenaud, he's done enough to catch the attentions of the regular front runners, Chip Ganassi Racing.
He'll share a stable with Marcus Armstrong, 2 time(and current reigning) IndyCar champ Alex Palou and six time series champion and legend Scott Dixon as well as rookie Kyffin Simpson. All eyes on CGR in 2024?
5. Robert Kubica - WEC LMP2 with Team WRT to WEC Hypercar with AF Corse
Finally, we come to someone who probably always deserved more from F1 and for one reason or another, never got it.
However, Robert Kubica finally gets to race for Ferrari, over 10 years later than initially planned and in a different series, but Ferrari nonetheless. This move satisfies every Kubica fan from the late 2000's who watched the Polish driver challenge for the driver championship despite being vastly rated as the underdog in a lesser car. He had what it takes back then, but luck failed him. I personally, am very happy to see him get this moment to shine, although his teammates are yet to be announced.
📸 Image credits: Sky Sports, NTT IndyCar Series, Kush Maini, Williams Racing, Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, Formula Motorsport Limited.
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