In the feeder series world, it’s easy to recall the drivers who made it to Formula 1. However, they’re only the lucky 1% of drivers. With the other 99% having to look elsewhere to continue their dreams of racing professionally, it becomes hard to keep track of all the names cycling through the brutal world of feeder series. Feeder Series sits down with former Formula 2 driver Louis Delétraz to discuss what life is like after F2 for the overlooked talents.

By Sean McKean

As I approach the Wayne Taylor Racing trailer in Watkins Glen, I spot a man with a big grin on his face: Louis Delétraz. Seeing my clothes getting wetter and wetter by standing out in the rain, he ushers me under the awning to take cover. We’re here for the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, the fifth round of the 2023 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where we catch a glimpse of a man who couldn’t be any happier to be where he is now.

We travel back to 2020. Whether or not he knew it at the time, Delétraz had just finished his final season of Formula 2 with Charouz Racing System, capping off a four-year F2 career that brought him a total of 10 podiums. He considers those, as well as his tenure as a test driver for Haas F1 from 2018 to 2020, among his greatest achievements and fondest memories.

“Formula 2 was a great time, especially being so close to F1,” he tells Feeder Series with a smile on his face. “My time with Haas, testing my first time in F1 in Abu Dhabi [in 2018], was something I’ll always remember; it was like a dream come true.

“In my time in F2, I think my two podiums in Monaco [in 2018 and 2019]. Monaco is so special to drive. I know as a fan it can be a bit difficult since it can be boring, but as a driver, being so close to the wall and achieving something there is pretty amazing.”

After 2020, Delétraz was not the only Swiss native to move overseas, with French-Swiss Haas race driver Romain Grosjean moving to IndyCar in 2021 following a sudden end to his Formula 1 career. One might think Grosjean – who has coached Delétraz since 2016, when he signed to Renault’s junior programme – had an influence on his move to America, but Delétraz tells us that  the timing was coincidental.

“Romain did coach me, was very close to me, especially when I was in F2 and he was in F1, because we shared a lot of time as well as being in Switzerland both,” he says. “Moving to America was more timing. I saw him going to IndyCar, and when I got to call to come over here, I did not hesitate to race in America.”

Most young drivers always dream of Formula 1, meaning there is a stigma around going to endurance – perceived by some as a place for those who aren’t good enough for F1. But Delétraz, the son of 1990s F1 driver Jean-Denis Delétraz, says he never saw it that way.

“For me, sports cars was never really the plan B. I grew up in motorsports through my dad, who took me to the Spa 24 Hours and Le Mans, so I always wanted to do it. At the same time, I quit F2 and entered LMP1, and I slowly got in the sports car world through single-seaters, so I wouldn’t say it was that difficult,” Delétraz says.

“It was always what I wanted to do. They are essentially single-seaters with a roof.”

It was always what I wanted to do. They are essentially single-seaters with a roof.

Louis Delétraz on prototype racing

After his time in Formula 2 came to an end, Delétraz immediately stepped into endurance racing. There was no shortage of success for the Swiss native, who won the European Le Mans Championship in 2021 and 2022. Also in 2022, he made his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the LMP2 class across the pond, taking two class wins throughout the year. He continued in IMSA for the 2023 season, this time with Wayne Taylor Racing in GTP, the fastest class of cars in the championship.

Even with how similar the GTPs feel to the fastest open-wheel cars, many current drivers on the ladder will always set their sights on the ultimate goal of being in Formula 1. Delétraz’s advice to them? Drive everywhere you can.

“I think a lot of drivers only see Formula 1 and don’t see the GT or prototypes part, so they don’t even consider [it],” he explains. “Driving as many cars as you can straight away – which I always did in Formula Renault, Formula BMW, GP3, Porsche [in the GT World Challenge] and also LMP1 and F2 – the more cars you drive, the better driver you’ll be. It might take time to adapt, but it’s definitely something you should do.”

The more cars you drive, the better driver you’ll be. It might take time to adapt, but it’s definitely something you should do.

Louis Delétraz’s advice to young drivers

He doesn’t only enjoy the driving side of IMSA, though, as he’s adjusted to the American lifestyle very well.

“I really enjoy racing in America. I see life a bit different. I think the American culture is much more open; people tolerate more and let you lead your own life,” he says. “I’m really enjoying the American lifestyle.”

Header photo credit: Acura Motorsports