What the drivers said - F2: Where F1 Stars are Made

As FIA Formula 2 celebrates 10 years of competition, F2: Where F1 Stars are Made features insights from those that have graduated from the Championship into Formula 1.

From the first champion Charles Leclerc to the drivers that have moved on from F2 and become F1 World Champion in Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli, here are a few quotes from those that have been there and done it.

HOW FORMULA 2 PREPARED THEM FOR F1

Charles Leclerc

“Formula 2, there was the strategy as well that you start learning. I think that's where you start working with more and more people and that's very useful for Formula 1.

“Before that, you kind of race with a lot less spotlight on you, but surely you know in the back of your head now you're performing in front of the people that will decide your future.

“It's, again, a very important learning process because you've got to be performing in these kinds of situations because when you get to Formula 1, then it's 100 times that and everybody looks at every single thing you do in the car.

“To perform at this level in front of so many people for the first time in their career is actually a very important learning process for Formula 1 right after.”

Oliver Bearman

“The Formula 2 learning that I took was big. I learned a lot about myself, how I react under pressure, how I react in challenging situations, how I interact with people as well.

“I think it's a really important skill. So I think I entered Formula 2 and Formula 3 as a kid, and I came out more of an adult.”

THE BIGGEST LESSONS FROM F2

Kimi Antonelli

“Coming from Formula Regional was a big step, but you know, just the fact also being in the same weekend as the Formula 1, understanding a bit more the dynamics and what F2 taught me a lot is trying to be there straight away because obviously with only one practice and then straight into qualifying, and especially on new tracks, it was very important to understand where the limit was and trying to get as close as possible to then be ready for qualifying.”

WATCH: FIA Formula 2: Where F1 Stars Are Made

Oscar Piastri

“Going through the junior ranks, all the cars are very different. You know how you had to drive the F4 car and then went to F3, it was different again. F2 was different again. So you're always kind of learning new things in some ways subconsciously.

“I think that adaptability, that's the really important thing going through the ranks because you don't have that much track time. You don't have any sets of tyres to really get in the swing of things. You've got to adapt very quickly.”

MAKING THE MOST OF THE F2 OPPORTUNITY

Alex Albon

“This is your chance, this is your opportunity to make that next step. You have an opportunity that no other championship has where you are really in the eyeline of all the Team Principals and so you have a good race, you need to take advantage of that.

“You cannot be shy and miss out an opportunity because you didn't go up and have a chance with various teams.

“I remember that year, I had, I think it was three pole positions in a row and that's when a conversation with Red Bull started.

“You rub shoulders all the time, you see everyone, you see the Formula 1 drivers, you see the Formula 1 Team Principals. That immediate communication with the Team Principal goes a lot further than having a conversation through a manager and I think that also helps me kind of get my case out there.”

George Russell

“There were seven drivers from that season who all raced in Formula 1. So I think that must be one of the highest, as a percentage, of drivers who ended up racing [in F1].

“Everybody's in the same car, so everybody has that same opportunity. I was racing against Lando and Alex, and so many great drivers who also made it to Formula 1 - Nyck de Vries, Nicholas Latifi.

“It's quite surreal because when you're younger, all the F1 drivers look like superheroes. Every time you see them, you're in awe. And in F2, you feel like you're within touching distance of Formula 1. When suddenly you're on the grid with them, it's just crazy.”

BECOMING A WORLD CHAMPION

Lando Norris

“A Formula 1 world championship is an incredible thing to achieve and hopefully [it can] inspire some of the younger kids that are in F2 now or F3 or F4 in terms of that's the correct ladder to do.

“I didn't win Formula 2 so it doesn't mean you have to win Formula 2 if you want to get into Formula 1 if you want to be a champion.

“I think that's a good thing and I think what was showcased very well in that year of F2 just how many good drivers came through it and if you want to race against the best obviously Formula 2 was certainly and still certainly is exactly that.

“To be the first F1 champion that's come through F2 is pretty special. So something that will always put a smile on my face for sure.”

You can watch the full documentary FIA Formula 2: Where F1 Stars Are Made here.