Drivers to have won both the F2 and Formula 1 World Championships

Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and for many drivers, Formula 2 is the penultimate step for those looking to make the grade in the top echelon.

The origins of F2 dates back to the 1950s and the championship has undergone significant overhauls through the decades.

The initial Formula 2 series was replaced by the more cost-effective Formula 3000 in 1985, which lasted 20 years before being discontinued and replaced by the GP2 Series in 2005.

Conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, GP2 was a popular feeder series until it was rebranded again in 2017 as the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

Since 2017 alone, 21 individuals who featured in F2 have made the transition into F1, with the likes of Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lando Norris all graduating from the feeder series.

But which drivers have won both the second-tier title and the Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship? We've delved into the archives to find out.

Jack Brabham

Formula 2 champion: 1960
Formula 1 champion: 1959, 1960, 1966

Although the primary objective for those currently competing in F2 is to create a pathway into F1, the legendary Jack Brabham had the luxury of competing in both championships during the 1960 season.

After claiming his maiden F1 title in 1959, Brabham contested the Formula 2 championship alongside his commitment to Formula 1 and remarkably prevailed in both.

On board the Cooper T53, Brabham sealed five wins in F1 and triumphed in 40% of the F2 races to be crowned champion in both.

The Australian would triumph in F1 again in 1966, albeit on this occasion he was driving a car that bore his own name.

Nico Rosberg

GP2 champion: 2005
Formula 1 champion: 2016

Nico Rosberg was the inaugural winner of the GP2 Series championship in 2005 with ART Grand Prix.

Locked in a title battle with Heikki Kovalainen, Rosberg chalked up race victories in Magny-Cours, Silverstone, Hockenheim and a memorable double at Bahrain to come out on top by 15 points.

Rosberg signed to race for Williams in the following season and remained with the constructor until 2010, when he signed a multi-year contract with Mercedes to partner the great Michael Schumacher.

Sealing his first F1 victory in 2012, the dawn of the turbo-hybrid era saw Mercedes usher in a new period of dominance and Rosberg contested for the title in 2014 and 2015, only to fall agonisingly short against his teammate Lewis Hamilton in both seasons.

The German's luck would change in 2016 as Rosberg emulated his father by winning nine of the 21 races to win claim the Drivers' Championship. It would prove to be his final season in the sport, with Rosberg announcing retirement upon conclusion of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton

GP2 champion: 2006
Formula 1 champion: 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Lewis Hamilton followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Nico Rosberg by claiming the GP2 Series title in his first season with ART Grand Prix.

An incredible double at Silverstone and a remarkable comeback drive at Istanbul Park were highlights of an exceptional campaign which ultimately resulted in Hamilton earning a seat with McLaren for the 2007 F1 season.

The Briton was immediately a title contender and after narrowly missing out on the Drivers' Championship to Kimi Raikkonen in his maiden campaign, Hamilton made no mistake in his second season as a dramatic last-lap overtake of Timo Glock ensured he triumphed by a single point.

Hamilton was forced to wait another six years before his next title as a bold decision to join Mercedes in 2013 paid dividends.

Victorious in 2014, Hamilton has since gone on to become the most decorated driver in Formula 1 history with seven world titles - equalling Michael Schumacher - and over a century of race wins.

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