Is the junior pathway to F1 really ‘damaged’?

A typical grievance amongst followers of System 1’s important feeder collection, System 2 and System 3, is that drivers hardly ever get the prospect to progress into race seats within the prime tier. Championship-winning abilities have typically been compelled to sit down on the sidelines in a reserve capability and wait till a longtime title retires.

This was particularly evident within the low season final 12 months, when there have been no adjustments to the F1 grid in any respect. However fast-forward 12 months and the grid could have a really completely different search for 2025, with at the very least 4 contemporary faces set to function. What these already confirmed – Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Jack Doohan (Alpine), Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – all have in widespread is their time spent climbing the established ladder.

With this in thoughts, it needs to be acknowledged that this piece might have seemed considerably completely different had been it written on the identical time final time period, such is the character of recency bias. To return to a conclusion on the matter, Motorsport.com spoke to a wide range of sources with in-depth expertise of the system to think about their opinions.

The boss

Because the CEO of F2 and F3, Bruno Michel will at all times put a constructive spin on the subject of whether or not the system works in its present guise. However a key think about assessing whether or not the system is damaged is knowing the metric by which success, and equally failure, is measured.

Explaining this, Michel tells Motorsport.com: “On the finish of the day, crucial factor for us is to ensure that the drivers that will likely be in System 1 are prepared for System 1. That’s our job and that’s the place you may see that the pyramid is working as a result of when drivers are attending to System 1, they’re prepared.”

Whereas it’s largely true that drivers making the step up have been prepared for F1, it stays the case that not all champions or different prime expertise are capable of make the leap for one motive or one other.

One such instance was arguably Logan Sargent, who struggled at Williams earlier than being dropped halfway by 2024 with Franco Colapinto stepping up from the junior class.

Believing that the distinction in automotive specification and philosophy from F2 to F1 at that time had performed a component – F2 having then run the identical automotive since 2019 and F1 shifting to ground-effect expertise in 2022 – the American advised Motorsport.com: “F2 is a good collection that has nice drivers, however I feel the hole between the automobiles might be a bit too massive for what it needs to be.

“There are simply so many extra advantageous particulars in F1, and there is simply so many extra issues that add into efficiency than simply getting within the automotive and driving such as you do in F2.”

Given the disparity in equipment, Liam Lawson’s transfer to Tremendous System – a class with higher technical complexity – was wanted earlier than he was deemed F1-ready.

After the weird 2023 winter which noticed no low season driver adjustments in any respect – a primary for F1 – as troublesome as the present Dallara F2 automotive is to become familiar with, the closer-to-F1 philosophy has clearly showcased sure attributes in drivers that bosses within the prime tier wanted to see with a view to confidently give speedy promotions up the ladder.

F2’s earlier title winners from 2023 and 2022, Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich, are with out everlasting race seats in any class, whereas even Oscar Piastri was compelled to spend a 12 months on the sidelines at Alpine earlier than his messy change to McLaren alongside Lando Norris for 2023.

“System 1 has [for now] received 20 seats and a few years there are seats out there, and a few years there aren’t, it’s quite simple,” Michel provides. “We now have had years prior to now the place there are three drivers going to System 1 in the identical season – it was [George] Russell, Norris and [Alex] Albon [in 2019]. The 12 months earlier than, we had Charles Leclerc, two years after, we had Oscar Piastri, so when there’s a seat out there.”

Of Pourchaire’s scenario, he says: “I’d be completely satisfied to see him with a full-time seat. Proper now, he doesn’t have one, so generally it’s the profession alternative of the drivers as nicely and I can’t intrude with that. They do what they wish to do.”

“A few of them have determined that it’s much less of a danger to take an skilled driver than to take a brand new one” 
Bruno Michel

Nonetheless, on the precise examples of Pourchaire and Drugovich, it needs to be famous that the duo took three and 4 years respectively to succeed in the F2 summit, a timeframe that’s not typically seemed on favourably by F1 groups, which require drivers that may are available and make an instantaneous influence.

Of the 2025 graduates, whereas solely Bortoleto – or Isack Hadjar ought to Pink Bull elect to position him at RB – stand an opportunity of being promoted to F2 with the title of their pocket, all have proven race-winning tempo and a capability to shortly adapt to new equipment. Within the fast-paced world of contemporary F1 the place the rewards are so nice, there’s merely not time for a studying 12 months whereas occupying a race seat.

The variety of graduates making the full-time leap instantly from F2 to F1 subsequent season is critical. Michel concedes younger drivers want “luck” on their facet to be able to make the change because the market “regulates”, with a number of the previous guard leaving to create area.

The speedy success of younger drivers akin to Piastri and Bearman, in his three one-off outings at Ferrari and Haas, seems to have given groups higher confidence in up-and-coming stars slightly than counting on the ‘protected’ skilled fingers, with new faces set to function from the entrance of the grid to the again in 2025.

The 2023 F2 champion Theo Pourchaire will likely be a reserve driver for the Peugeot WEC squad in 2025

Photograph by: Peugeot Sport

“It’s a stability and at some factors, it’s true, there are some drivers that aren’t so thrilling for F1 groups and so they favor to go for skilled drivers,” Michel displays. “However when you will have a younger man arriving and being extraordinarily promising, OK, perhaps he’ll price you a number of factors in his first season as a result of it’s his first season.

“However [Fernando] Alonso began at one level, Lewis [Hamilton] began at one level – all of them did. I keep in mind Max [Verstappen]’s first season in System 1 was not really easy.

“Since a place within the [constructors’] championship is value fairly some huge cash, they wish to ensure that they optimise their likelihood to get a powerful place and a few of them have determined that it’s much less of a danger to take an skilled driver than to take a brand new one.

“However this additionally has a restrict, and sooner or later, one thing like what Ollie did in Jeddah [happens] and [he] made one-third of the F1 grid look previous.”

The crew view

Within the second tier alone, Prema boss Rene Rosin has seen six drivers progress to F1 since his squad joined the grid of F2’s forerunner GP2 in 2016. This quantity will develop to eight subsequent time period, when Bearman and Antonelli land their full-time seats. Actually, one-quarter of the 2024 grid could have graduated from the Prema GP2/F2 effort.

However given the hit-and-miss nature of the driving force market in recent times and with the present window showing distinctive given the dearth of motion in earlier years, it’s truthful to ask Rosin outright if the system might be thought-about damaged.

“To say that it’s damaged is an enormous, massive phrase,” he replies. “I feel in precept, the system works. However in fact, we at all times have the query of time as there’s not at all times area in System 1.

“You have got drivers which have multiple-year contracts, and if yearly that you must proceed changing them, it’s not attainable. So it’s only a query of timing.

“There are some drivers not in System 1 that should be there. However extra of the problem is a query of timing, as there aren’t at all times locations out there. With 20 automobiles in System 1, it’s fairly troublesome that yearly you will discover areas.

“There are years like three, 4 years in the past when you will have areas and years the place you will have none. However in fact, this isn’t an indication that the system is damaged.

This 12 months’s Prema F2 drivers, Antonelli and Bearman, will each have full-time F1 seats subsequent 12 months

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos

“Saying the system is damaged, no. I feel we see that it’s working fairly nicely from System 4, System 3, System 2 and System 1, and all of the drivers which might be passing by are prepared to leap into System 1.”

The drivers

We now come to crucial folks within the dialog, the drivers, for it’s their profession that might in the end fly or flop primarily based on the well being of the present system. At this stage, it needs to be famous that each one 20 present F1 drivers have featured in F2, F3 or the equal that was round on the time of their junior profession (Fernando Alonso is the one incumbent on the grid who raced in System 3000, the predecessor to GP2). Prefer it or not, it is a signal of a profitable system – a view that McLaren’s Piastri shares.

Whereas Max Verstappen didn’t function in both F2 or F3, European F3 and GP3 mixed forward of the 2019 season to create F3 so, whereas not on the F1 assist invoice, he nonetheless featured on the identical pathway. 

“F2 and F3 are very aggressive with loads of gifted drivers on the grid in order that naturally pushes and drives you,” he tells Motorsport.com. “That competitors is the most important factor. Racing on sure F1 race weekends additionally helps and permits you to showcase what you are able to do across the identical circuit. From a racing perspective, it introduces you to components like driving on completely different tyre compounds all through a weekend.”

“It’s an distinctive collection, offering a lot alternative on the primary stage…there’s no hiding away from something” Jack Doohan

Reflecting on his 12 months out of racing in a reserve capability with Alpine, he provides: “F1 is a special beast by way of all of the off-track components however my 12 months as reserve driver gave me the prospect to see that facet of issues, which was useful. On-track, it’s completely different equipment with completely different calls for and you need to be ready for that.

“Everybody has their very own pathway however I’m clearly pleased with my journey and success within the junior classes and delighted that it led me to F1, which was at all times the dream. I nonetheless preserve an in depth eye on F2 and F3 races now.”

Doohan will make his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi this weekend as a precursor to a full-time race seat subsequent 12 months. The Australian spent two years in every of F3 and F2, ending second total in his last marketing campaign within the former, whereas managing third within the latter final season.

Regardless of taking 10 race wins throughout the mixed 4 campaigns – 4 of the six in F2 coming in function races – Doohan’s F1 hopes had appeared to many as slim to none earlier than the drastic shakeup this 12 months, one thing that has given him a rounded opinion on what the collection supply.

Like Piastri, Doohan can even contest his rookie season in F1 after a 12 months as Alpine’s reserve driver

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos

“It’s robust,” he explains. “System 1 is one thing that’s so troublesome to get into and really easy to get out of. You possibly can spend – like me – seven years to get in from the second you step right into a single-seater automotive. Six years of racing to get into System 1 and in case you’re not performing, like we’ve seen with even Nyck [de Vries] and different drivers, you will be out in a matter of races.

“So it’s no simple feat however System 3 and System 2 positively, with out them, I wouldn’t have hit actuality, I wouldn’t have needed to actually hit all-time low a number of occasions to bounce again and actually get me to the place I’m right now.

“It’s an distinctive collection, offering a lot alternative on the primary stage. There’s no hiding away from something. Every thing is seen and if you’re performing, it’s the world’s smartest thing. However if you’re not, you want you may simply conceal away, however the actuality is that you need to face these fears and take the great with the unhealthy. It actually simply shapes you into enabling us to prepare for this step, which I’m so grateful that each one that has paid off.”

Requested simply how the 2 championships put together drivers in a structured method that builds in the direction of F1, he says: “Alright, you don’t get the pit stops in F3, however you get a 30-car discipline preventing for one piece of observe in qualifying with all of the drivers eager to have a three-second hole between automobiles to have a little bit of clear air. It’s simply not going to occur.

“In order that shapes you, preparing for site visitors administration, discovering place, having the ability to get the automotive prepared and the tyres prepared in that out and heat lap whereas having to cease and decelerate to 30kph to search out that observe place that you just want after which just remember to have the entrance tyres prepared for Flip 1.

“It’s placing you in uncomfortable circumstances and troublesome environments, wherein you need to excel if you wish to carry out and qualify nicely. This will get you prepared for one thing that, really, if you get to System 1, it’s extra simple when you will have tyre heaters and 20 automobiles.

“I might go a lot extra into depth however the pyramid, the ladder, the best way they’ve structured it, the best way it’s carried out and is meant to be taken is outstanding.”

Motorsport.com sought to talk with each Drugovich and Pourchaire to get their ideas on the system after to date lacking out on F1 seats, however neither was keen to talk on the subject.

De Vries lastly landed a full-time seat in F1 4 years after profitable the 2019 F2 title, however was dropped after simply 10 grands prix in 2023

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos

Newly crowned-F3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, who will race for the Invicta F2 crew in 2025, tells Motorsport.com: “They’re two excellent collection. You might be studying so much driving the F2 automobiles, particularly on the race administration and tyre administration, which in System 1 is super-important. And subsequent 12 months, we could have the pitstop as nicely – a primary time for me – so will probably be a brand new factor to be taught and I can’t watch for this.”

Does Cadillac change issues?

F1 has had simply 20 seats out there since Manor’s departure on the finish of 2016. This quantity is a far cry from years passed by, when pre-qualifying was wanted to whittle the entries right down to 30 automobiles that will battle for 26 locations on the beginning grid.

Whereas anticipating a return of these heady days is unrealistic, just lately a deal in precept was agreed that may see Cadillac be part of as an eleventh crew for 2026, including two additional seats into the combo.

It’s all good and nicely having the ability to counsel that one thing is damaged or, at the very least, doesn’t operate in addition to it might do, however the troublesome factor is discovering methods to enhance the system

Talking forward of the current Qatar weekend, American F2 driver Jak Crawford spoke with measured pleasure concerning the alternatives this might create.

“I’d hope that with the addition of a brand new System 1 crew, in fact, there are solely two extra seats out there however that’s quite a bit for F1 so as to add two extra seats,” the Aston Martin junior remarked. “In order that’s two extra drivers that will likely be both transferring up [or across].

“It’s simply two extra seats which might be out there for F2 and F3 drivers. In fact, we’re going to have quite a lot of rookies in F1 subsequent 12 months from F2 however the earlier 12 months, there was solely Logan [Sargeant], so hopefully, we’ll see that placing much more System 2 drivers up on the System 1 grid.”

Whereas it’s a good thought that each seats will likely be open to drivers climbing the ladder, it’s seemingly that just one place can be open to a rookie, with an skilled challenger positioned within the lead function. With Mario Andretti – a newly appointed board member of Common Motor’s racing programme – stating that signing IndyCar driver Colton Herta is a “precedence”, it might nicely be that neither place is open to these on the well-trodden pathway.

Two extra seats will open up when Cadillac joins the grid in 2026, however one might be for IndyCar ace Herta leaving fewer probabilities for F2/F3 graduates

Photograph by: Cadillac Communications

What might be improved?

It’s all nicely and good to counsel that one thing is damaged or, at the very least, doesn’t operate in addition to it might do. However the tougher factor is discovering methods to enhance the system. 

Whereas compiling this considerably prolonged mission, Motorsport.com requested interviewees the place such positive factors might be made, however there have been few strategies till we spoke with present F2 championship chief Bortoleto.

He stated: “I’m unsure I like the dash race system. I feel it makes the weekend nice, it’s extra enjoyable, however perhaps change the dash race to make it the function race on Saturday.

“On the finish of the day, quite a lot of issues can occur – you do quali, that you must make your automotive as quick as attainable and also you go straight to the function race with no information of the dash race earlier than, so that you must go with out the expertise.

“I’d perhaps change sides, so do the other with dash on Sunday and the function on Saturday – or perhaps do two qualifyings and two races.”

Beneath the present system in each F2 and F3, the dash races function {a partially} reversed grid, giving drivers the chance to both showcase their potential to steer from the entrance or battle by the pack – an expertise the function race would give the other of.

However on tracks the place overtaking is troublesome, though it develops extra abilities in preparation for F1, it may well alter the championship image drastically.

“I by no means stopped to consider this, however that’s perhaps one thing I’d change,” Bortoleto provides. “As a result of the dash race can nonetheless offer you quite a lot of factors, and there are some tracks that it’s not possible to overhaul on, like Monaco.”

On a Saturday F2 drivers will contest a dash race, the place the highest 10 from qualifying will begin within the reverse order – in F3 it’s the prime 12

Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photos

Motorsport.com says

When getting down to produce this function earlier within the 12 months, this author was of the mindset that seems to be extensively shared, at the very least by these vocal on social media, that the system is both damaged or is in want of some tweaking on the very least. However then the F1 adjustments for 2025 occurred, and immediately the backyard seems to be inexperienced as soon as once more.

Neither Michel nor Rosin had been ever going to talk in poor health of the system that they each work arduous on of their respective capacities, so there was some studying between the traces required when chatting with each.

However it in the end can’t be denied that with 22 F2 drivers, 20 present F1 abilities and a handful of others from around the globe all vying for the restricted seats on the grid, having an enormous shuffle to accommodate the highest F2 drivers annually is just by no means going to occur.

Even with Cadillac’s arrival, alternatives aren’t immediately going to grow to be as plentiful as some want to suppose. Even including a twelfth crew would probably ease issues for one 12 months, earlier than the inevitable backlog turns into shortly evident as soon as once more.

However flip the dialog round and you might be confronted with a special query. Is it actually such a nasty factor that there’s an excessive amount of top-level expertise for F1 to discipline?

The reply is a categorical no. In soccer, the efficiency degree within the Premier League has risen exponentially since its inception in 1992, with the overflow of expertise benefitting the decrease English leagues and competitions round Europe.

Return to motorsport, and if drivers are unable to realize an F1 seat, they may look to IndyCar, the World Endurance Championship, System E or any variety of different top-level competitions to realize alternatives and enhance the extent throughout the board – one thing that needs to be celebrated.

So lastly, is the pyramid system damaged? No. Is it excellent? No. However is it as near excellent as we’re going to get? Just about.

Is there a extra viable answer to getting younger expertise into F1?

Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photos