Formula 1 feeder series Formula 2 will join the weekend schedule at May's grands prix in Miami and Canada, F1 and governing body the FIA have jointly confirmed.
Like F1, F2 was scheduled to run in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, rounds which have been called off due to the US-Israel war on Iran.
Losing those two rounds left the single-seater series with a gaping three-month hole in its calendar, with the next round scheduled for June's Monaco Grand Prix.
But F2 will now make its debut on the undercard of the Miami Grand Prix, followed by another North American outing in Montreal at the end of May.
“While it has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, and we look forward to being back with our passionate fans there as soon as possible, it is great news for our fans, the drivers and the teams that Formula 2 will be racing in Miami and Montreal," said F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali.
"Bruno [Michel, F2 CEO] and the whole F2 family have done a great job, working closely with us, the FIA, and the Miami and Montreal promoters, to ensure we limit the gap in racing for the championship this season and I want to thank them for making this possible. It is going to be fantastic to restart the racing in a few weeks’ time and to have F2 alongside Formula 1 as we return to the US for the first time this season.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “Following the necessary changes to the calendar at the start of the season, the addition of these new rounds ensures the FIA Formula 2 championship remains strong and balanced, and able to deliver for our teams, drivers and fans.
“Bringing the championship to North America via Miami and Montreal for the first time marks an important step in its continued global growth, strengthening the pathway alongside Formula 1 and connecting with new audiences. I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these rounds possible.
“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the ongoing events in the Middle East and we continue to hope for a swift return to stability. We look forward to racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia very soon.”
F2's Montreal debut will therefore clash with the Indianapolis 500, thwarting F2 driver and Cadillac F1 test driver Colton Herta's chances of taking part in IndyCar's centrepiece.
Formula 2 will now host a further 13 round this season, following the opener in Melbourne in March. Races are also scheduled for Barcelona, Austria, Great Britain, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Madrid, Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
