Inside Formula 2: How AIX Racing works behind the scenes?

AIX Racing may be one of the newer names on the Formula 2 and Formula 3 grid, but the team's ambitions are clear. Since taking over PHM Racing ahead of the 2024 season, it has worked to establish itself as a competitive outfit while helping young drivers climb the single-seater ladder.

At the heart of the project is a simple philosophy: continuous improvement.

"AIX Racing is a professional motorsport team built on a clear mission: continuous growth and improvement, both of our personnel and of our drivers. We invest deeply in our individual drivers not just as racers, but as athletes and as people. We try to instil dedication, focus, hard work, and the desire to be better. All the time," Marc Overkamp told NewsGP.

That approach also shapes the team's expectations for the current Formula 2 and Formula 3 seasons. Rather than focusing solely on results, AIX Racing wants its drivers to improve race after race while building consistency.

"Our primary objective is to be consistent. In Formula 2, we want both drivers to be qualifying well, scoring points regularly and continuously learning and growing as drivers. Most of our drivers are young and are new to F2 and F3. We want to create the platform for them to reach their single-seater goals and, in doing so, hopefully they'll contribute to our team achieving its goals," he added.

Driver development, however, extends far beyond race weekends. Overkamp believes AIX Racing's technical structure and team culture are among the biggest strengths of the organisation.

"Our technical structure is genuinely professional, we operate with the same rigour you'd expect from a top-tier single-seater outfit. It's not just about the car. We work on mental preparation, physical conditioning, media training and understanding the broader Formula 1 ecosystem. Everyone here is motivated, aligned and accountable. Our team members also get on incredibly well. I can't imagine that another team has the same cohesion, on and off the track, as our team does."

The team's Formula 2 line-up reflects those values. Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. and Cian Shields have different backgrounds, but both have impressed AIX Racing with their commitment and attitude.

"Emerson carries himself with real professionalism and hunger. He understands what it takes to succeed at this level, and we're seeing him grow race by race. He has genuine speed and the mentality to handle pressure. Cian is a fighter. He's incredibly committed, technically sharp and works exceptionally well with the engineers. Both drivers push hard every single session and never give up. They complement each other well and both fit into our broader team dynamic," the team's communication manager explained.

Working with young drivers every day has also given AIX Racing a clear understanding of what separates good racers from great ones. Raw speed remains important, but it is only part of the picture.

"We look for raw pace, consistency under pressure, tyre management, adaptability to changing conditions, racecraft and the ability to communicate with the engineering team. Off the track, dedication, work ethic, coachability, emotional resilience and professionalism are equally important," Overkamp said.

For Overkamp, character often makes the biggest difference over the course of a season.

"We can refine technique, but we can't install character or the desire to want to work harder. A driver who arrives in the paddock with humility, hunger and the ability to learn fast will always outperform a driver who possesses raw talent alone," he explained.

That belief sums up the philosophy AIX Racing wants to build its future on and the standard it sets for every young driver joining the team:

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."