Freddie Slater, the Formula 3 second-place finisher and Audi Formula 1 academy prospect, is set to graduate to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing for the 2027 season.
After securing the Italian F4 crown in 2024 and the Formula Regional European title in 2025, the British youngster was recruited by Audi to lead its newly established Driver Development Programme in 2026, alongside his transition to F3 with Trident.
An impressive run of four straight feature-race podiums allowed Slater to overtake second-year driver Ugo Ugochukwu for the championship lead prior to the summer shutdown. However, his momentum slowed in the final five rounds, yielding just 15 additional points, which allowed the Campos competitor to leapfrog him in the championship standings.
Despite having previously contested two events in 2025, Slater emerged as the top-performing rookie of the campaign. Collecting eight podium finishes, which included a win at the Hungaroring, the 18-year-old comfortably clinched second overall in the standings, finishing ahead of sophomore racer Tuukka Taponen and fellow first-year driver Taito Kato.
“Advancing to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing for the upcoming season is incredibly exciting for me,” Slater remarked. “My experience in Formula 3 this year taught me a great deal, and I believe I have matured significantly both behind the wheel and as an individual.”
“Invicta boasts an outstanding track record in Formula 2, and I am eager to begin working with everyone to gear up for our season. I also want to express my gratitude to the Audi Driver Development Programme for their ongoing backing. I still have plenty to master, and I cannot wait to tackle this next milestone.”
Rafael Camara driving for Invicta Racing
Image credit: Clive Mason / Getty Images
In recent seasons, the pathway from Trident to Invicta has proven highly effective, resulting in multiple consecutive championship victories.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara claimed the last three F3 titles with the Italian team before transitioning to the Norfolk-based squad in F2, where both Bortoleto and Fornaroli triumphed as rookies. Sitting a narrow second in the 2026 championship, Camara is well-positioned to duplicate their achievements.
Although he fell just short of the F3 crown, these are the exact footsteps Slater will seek to trace during his 2027 campaign.
“Graduating to Formula 2 represents a logical progression for Freddie, marking a crucial new milestone in his racing career,” commented Allan McNish, director of the Audi Driver Development Programme.
“He delivered a highly competitive Formula 3 campaign, remaining in championship contention until the season finale while demonstrating excellent pace, racecraft, and continuous growth. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and his personal evolution throughout the year.”
“Invicta Racing has shown phenomenal form in recent seasons, and we are thrilled to partner with them. We are confident this is the perfect setting for his progression, and we are excited to back him as he tackles this fresh endeavor in 2027.”
