Michael Bleekemolen

Michael Bleekemolen, born on October 2, 1949, is a versatile Dutch racing driver with a career spanning several decades and various racing disciplines. He began his racing journey in Formula Vee and Formula Ford, eventually making his Formula One debut in 1977. Although his time in Formula 1 was brief, with a few attempts to qualify for races with RAM Racing and a single start with ATS in 1978 at Watkins Glen, Bleekemolen remained a prominent figure in the racing world.

After Formula One, Bleekemolen found success in Formula 3, securing two European Championship round wins and finishing second in the series behind Alain Prost. He transitioned to one-make Renault racing and later became a regular in touring cars and sportscars. Beyond his driving career, Bleekemolen established himself as a successful businessman, owning Race Planet, which includes indoor karting venues and a racing school at Zandvoort. He also formed his own racing team, Team Bleekemolen.

In recent years, Bleekemolen has continued to participate in racing, including the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Making his debut in 2019 at the age of 69, he was the oldest rookie in the series' history. He has raced in the Renault Clio Benelux Cup and the Benelux Touring Car Championship. His sons, Jeroen and Sebastiaan, have also followed in his footsteps and become racers, sometimes racing alongside their father. Bleekemolen lives in Aerdenhout, Netherlands, and spends a significant part of the year in the South of France.