Charles Leclerc was the reigning drivers' champion, having won the title at the penultimate round of the 2017 championship in Jerez de la Frontera.
Other winners, who were victorious once - its runner-up Norris, Jack Aitken, Maximilian Günther, Nicholas Latifi, and Tadasuke Makino.
[6] It was powered by a fuel-efficient 3.4 litres (207 cubic inches) V6 single-turbocharged direct-injected engine developed by Mecachrome called V634T.
As the championship was a spec series, all competitors raced with identical Dallara F2 2018 chassis with a V6 turbo engine developed by Mecachrome.
[32] Defending teams' champions Russian Time signed FIA Formula 3 European Championship driver Tadasuke Makino to partner Artem Markelov.
[33] With reigning drivers' champion Charles Leclerc leaving the series to join Formula 1 team Sauber.
[38] ART Grand Prix promoted reigning GP3 Series champion George Russell to the category,[39] partnering him with Jack Aitken, who also drove for the team in GP3.
[40] Nobuharu Matsushita, who drove for the team in 2017, left the series and returned to Japan to race in the Super Formula Championship.
[44] With Gelael's switch to Prema and Norman Nato's departure to the European Le Mans Series, Arden International promoted two rookie drivers.
[45] Former GP3 Series driver Nirei Fukuzumi filled one seat,[46] while Maximilian Günther—who finished second in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship and third in 2017—took the other.
[51] Nabil Jeffri, who raced for Trident in 2017, left the team to join the FIA World Endurance Championship.
[54][55] Delétraz left Rapax after the team withdrew from the championship, while Fuoco moved from Prema Racing as part of an agreement with Ferrari's driver development programme.
[27] MP Motorsport promoted Niko Kari from their GP3 Series team, where he replaced Ralph Boschung for the remainder of the season.
[58] The championship started at the Circuit Paul Ricard, where it was featured as part of the French Grand Prix support programme.