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CEO of Formula 2 and Formula 3, Bruno Michel, has expressed how “fantastic” it is that the feeder series are going to Melbourne this year, as well as having F3 in Monaco.
Formula 2 and Formula 3, the feeder series of Formula 1, follow the F1 calendar, acting as support series across a grand prix weekend. The feeder series have fewer races compared to F1, only racing at certain circuits such as Bahrain, Silverstone and Monza.
However, for 2023, both Formula 2 and Formula 3 have record-breaking seasons. F2 has 14 races this year whilst F3 has 10. Whilst both are returning to circuits the championships have competed at before, there is a new circuit on the schedule for both.
The third round of the Formula 1 championship this year is in Melbourne at the Albert Park Circuit. For the first time ever, Formula 2 and Formula 3 will also be racing in Melbourne, Australia.
For Formula 2, the weekend in Melbourne will be the third round of the 2023 season, following Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Formula 3 don’t currently compete in Jeddah, so racing in Melbourne will be the F3 championship’s second round.
In a Virtual Media Roundtable, FormulaNerds spoke to Bruno Michel, the CEO of both Formula 2 and Formula 3. FormulaNerds asked Michel about Melbourne being added to the calendar for the feeder series. We also asked Michel about Formula 3 racing in Monaco this year for the first time.
Melbourne: “Unusual” but “great news”
With 2023 being the first year of F2 and F3 heading to Australia, FormulaNerds asked Michel how it feels to be racing at another Formula 1 circuit.
Michel said:
“I’d say it’s great news. Going to Melbourne is fantastic. It’s something that is quite unusual I would say for the support series because it’s quite a long travel, a long trip there.
“But it’s very very positive and a very exciting moment for F2 and F3 because we’ve never been there, neither with F2 nor F3 in the past.”
Michel also expressed gratitude towards the organisers of the event for making it a “possibility” for the feeder series to race at Albert Park. However, he admitted they are currently “checking out” all the logistics and transportation of heading to Melbourne; Michel explained this saying it’s “because it’s quite expensive because we have to fly there and back. But that’s the way it is.”
Monaco: “Always a little bit of a challenge”
As well as both feeder series going to Melbourne, Formula 3 have another new race on the calendar. Formula 2 race in Monaco and have done for the past few years; however, Formula 3 has never raced on the streets of Monte Carlo.
But 2023 sees that change as Formula 3 will be alongside Formula 2 supporting F1 for the fourth round of the F3 championship.
FormulaNerds also spoke to Michel about the addition of Monaco to the Formula 3 calendar. When speaking to FormulaNerds, Michel said:
“We love to have F3 in Monaco. I think it’s great because we had a few times where F2 drivers were riding in Monaco and had never been there And it’s always a little bit of a challenge to race in Monaco.
“So, it’s a great move and we’re really happy to have F2 and F3 in Monaco as well. And Formula 1 is really happy to have both our categories in Monaco and in Melbourne because I think for the weekend we bring quite a fantastic show, which is very complemental to where Formula 1 is heading. So, it’s good for everybody.”
Both feeder series championships have grown immensely in recent years. The popularity of them has increased as well as the competitiveness among the drivers. The likes of Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant are now racing full-time in Formula 1, whilst Felipe Drugovich is an Aston Martin, and McLaren when needed, reserve driver.
Having Formula 2 and Formula 3 race at more circuits on the F1 calendar, is a good thing to see. Pre-season testing for both championships happened last week, and the first round of the 2023 F2 and F3 seasons is next week in Bahrain.
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