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John Bennett calls Spielberg victory the best day of his life
Reflecting on his maiden Formula 2 win at the Red Bull Ring, Trident driver John Bennett opens up about overcoming a mentally demanding rookie campaign.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-08-28 10:14:28.864 - 2 min read
John Bennett has described his maiden FIA Formula 2 victory at the Red Bull Ring as the finest moment of his life, arriving after a long stretch of misfortune during his early career in the championship. The Trident driver secured the top step of the podium in the Spielberg Sprint Race following a decisive final-lap overtake on Sebastián Montoya.
Reflecting on his breakthrough weekend, Bennett admitted that translating strong pace into a tangible result felt like a massive weight lifted off his shoulders. The British competitor pointed to earlier missed opportunities, including a pit lane issue in Miami that cost him a potential top-five finish in the Feature Race, alongside double DNFs in Canada after running fourth in both outings.
Those frustrations followed a difficult rookie season in 2025 where he managed just a single championship point at Monza. Transitioning directly from a successful GB3 campaign where he secured eleven podiums, Bennett acknowledged that adjusting to the F2 machinery proved mentally exhausting as he struggled to understand what the car required.
A late deal to join Trident for the 2026 campaign offered a fresh start, despite both driver and team coming off challenging previous years. Bennett noted that pre-season testing immediately revealed an upward trajectory and a strong internal work ethic that convinced him the gamble was worth taking.
Now sitting 18th in the Drivers' Standings ahead of the upcoming round at Monza, Bennett remains determined to climb higher. He believes his current championship position does not reflect the actual performance shown by himself and the team, leaving him hungry for further podium finishes before the season concludes.