F2 + F3 CEO Bruno Michel: Steering Young Drivers To F1 | F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast

Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and George Russell are just a handful of the Formula 1 stars born in Bruno Michel’s racing series. Multiple F1 World Champions and Grand Prix-winners have risen from Formula 2 and Formula 3, previously known as GP2 and GP3. From the very first GP2 champion, Nico Rosberg, to Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas and many more, Bruno has been supporting young drivers in their journey to the pinnacle of motorsport for two decades. He tells Tom Clarkson how he built the ladder to Formula 1, why Hamilton and Leclerc particularly stood out, and his prior work as manager to drivers including Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber. As F1 teams look to sign stars for the 2025 season, Bruno explains why future Haas driver Ollie Bearman is ready to step up to the top level, and what Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli can do to claim his place in F1. Plus, how F1 Academy will become a pathway to F3 and beyond. 00:00 - Intro 08:15 – Reverse-grid racing in F2... and F1 Sprint? 14:51 – Cars and races of the future 22:49 – Are Bearman Antonelli ready for F1? 27:58 – How Hamilton stunned Bruno 34:08 – Why some drivers stay in F2 41:00 – How Rosberg paved way for others 43:34 – Why Bruno knew Leclerc was ‘special’ 50:43 – Will F1 Academy stars join F3? 53:36 – How Bruno became F2 F3 CEO 58:18 – Best driver he’s ever seen? 01:04:07 – Quickfire questions For more F1® videos, visit Follow F1®: @f1 #F1