Michael Benyahia

Professional Racing Driver

Moroccan Racing Driver

British Gt & McLaren Driver Developement Driver

British Gt & McLaren Driver Developement Driver

British Gt & McLaren Driver Developement Driver

British Gt & McLaren Driver Developement Driver

Profile

Michael Benyahia is an American-Moroccan Racing Driver.

Michael started racing karts at the age of 6. He won multiple SCCA Karting Championships before moving into single seaters.

In 2015, Michael became the youngest driver in Autosport Academy history to compete in the French Formula 4 Championship. He finished 3rd in the championship.

Michael's highlights in Formula car racing have come in the 2017 Formula Renault Northern European Cup where he became champion in his debut season.

He got the opportunity to be a Development Driver for the Venturi Formula E Racing Team in 2018. Simultaneously he stepped up to Formula F3 where he competed in 3 races with 2 podium finishes.

In 2019, Michael made his move to GT racing taking multiple podiums in Monza, Nurburg Ring and Red Bull Ring.He was selected by the end of 2019 as McLaren DDP driver.

2020 was a quiet season, following McLaren DDP program postponing racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic - therefore Michael dedicated most of his season to gym training and Racing Simulator duties.

In 2022, Michael participated in the GT Open International and the FIA Motorsport Games in GT3 cars.

For more information and the highlights of Michael's racing career, view each of the key’s periods in his racing story via the Timeline below.

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Michael Benyahia

Career

Career

FIA Motorsport Games

Michael's exceptional run in the FIA Motorsport Games left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans and cemented his place among the elite drivers of the sport.

GT Open International

In 2022, Michael transitioned from GT4 to GT3 cars to compete at a higher level of racing and pushing his boundaries in pursuit of victory.

ADAC GT

In the 2019 season, Michael made the switch to GT racing. After an intensive two-day assessment, Michael secured one of the most desired race seats under the Mclaren DDP program.

EuroFormula Open

2018 saw Michael step up to EuroFormula Open with RP Motorsport.
He competed in 3 races where he had 2 podium finishes - further demonstrating his potential and talent, despite much less experience in the car compared to his rivals.

Formula E Test Driver

Michael was recruited as a test driver for the Venturi Formula E team for the 2018 season.
At the age of 17, he drove his first Formula E Rookie test at the International Circuit of Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech, Morocco.

Formula Renault

In 2017, Michael partnered with the French racing team ‘Race GP’ and won the 2017 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Championship; becoming the first driver from the MENA region to win such a championship.

Formula 4

Michael made his debut in single-seaters and became the youngest driver in the history of the Autosport Academy to compete in the French Formula 4 Championship.
He finished 2nd, becoming Vice-Champion in the 2016 Autosport Academy F4 Championship.

Karting

Michael won his first title of US Champion in 2010 in the Micro Max category at the age of 9 and in 2011 in the Mini Max category.
Moving up into the Juniors for the 2013 season, Michael took 5th place in the Junior Max World Championships.

FIA Motorsport Games

Michael's exceptional run in the FIA Motorsport Games left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans and cemented his place among the elite drivers of the sport.

GT Open International

In 2022, Michael transitioned from GT4 to GT3 cars to compete at a higher level of racing and pushing his boundaries in pursuit of victory.

ADAC GT

In the 2019 season, Michael made the switch to GT racing. After an intensive two-day assessment, Michael secured one of the most desired race seats under the Mclaren DDP program.

EuroFormula Open

2018 saw Michael step up to EuroFormula Open with RP Motorsport.
He competed in 3 races where he had 2 podium finishes - further demonstrating his potential and talent, despite much less experience in the car compared to his rivals.

Formula E Test Driver

Michael was recruited as a test driver for the Venturi Formula E team for the 2018 season.
At the age of 17, he drove his first Formula E Rookie test at the International Circuit of Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech, Morocco.

Formula Renault

In 2017, Michael partnered with the French racing team ‘Race GP’ and won the 2017 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Championship; becoming the first driver from the MENA region to win such a championship.

Formula 4

Michael made his debut in single-seaters and became the youngest driver in the history of the Autosport Academy to compete in the French Formula 4 Championship.
He finished 2nd, becoming Vice-Champion in the 2016 Autosport Academy F4 Championship.

Karting

Michael won his first title of US Champion in 2010 in the Micro Max category at the age of 9 and in 2011 in the Mini Max category.
Moving up into the Juniors for the 2013 season, Michael took 5th place in the Junior Max World Championships.

Present
professional Racing
Driver
2019
MClaren Driver Development Program
2018
Venturi Formula E - Development DRiver
2017
Formula Renault 2.0 NEC - Champion
2016
FIA French F4 Championship - 3rd

News

Multimedia

Michael Benyahia FIA Motorsport Games 2022

Coverage of Michel Benyahia competing in the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games for Team Morrocco

Michael Benyahia FIA Motorsport Games 2022

Coverage of Michel Benyahia competing in the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games for Team Morrocco

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Michael Benyahia FIA Motorsport Games 2022

Highlights of Michael Benyahia racing in FIA Motorsport Games 2022

Michael Benyahia FIA Motorsport Games 2022

Highlights of Michael Benyahia racing in FIA Motorsport Games 2022

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Michaël Benyahia fier de représenter le Maroc

Le Maroc, représenté par le pilote automobile marocain, Michaël Benyahia, participera au "FIA Motorsport Games", qui se déroule à Marseille et régions du 26 au 30 octobre courant, avec Optimum Motorsport.

Michaël Benyahia fier de représenter le Maroc

Le Maroc, représenté par le pilote automobile marocain, Michaël Benyahia, participera au "FIA Motorsport Games", qui se déroule à Marseille et régions du 26 au 30 octobre courant, avec Optimum Motorsport.

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International GT Open 2022 Round 7 Highlights

Race highlights of Michael Benyahia racing in the International GT Open - Round 7 at Barcelona, Spain

International GT Open 2022 Round 7 Highlights

Race highlights of Michael Benyahia racing in the International GT Open - Round 7 at Barcelona, Spain

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2019 - ADAC GT4 Masters Victory

Michael Benyahia took victory with Team GT in the 2019 ADAC GT4 class at the Nurburgring

2019 - ADAC GT4 Masters Victory

Michael Benyahia took victory with Team GT in the 2019 ADAC GT4 class at the Nurburgring

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Formula E Valencia Test ArryadiaTV

Michael Benyahia testing Formula E at Valencia

Formula E Valencia Test ArryadiaTV

Michael Benyahia testing Formula E at Valencia

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Making the next step

Michael Benyahia moved into single-seater racing with instant success, taking race victories and championships.

In 2017, Michael partnered with the French racing team ‘Race GP’ and won the 2017 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Championship; becoming the first driver from the MENA region to win such a championship.

Michael was recruited as a test driver for the Venturi Formula E team for the 2018 season.
At the age of 17, he drove his first Formula E Rookie test at the International Circuit of Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech, Morocco.

2018 saw Michael step up to EuroFormula Open with RP Motorsport. He competed in 3 races where he had 2 podium finishes - further demonstrating his potential and talent.

In the 2019 season, Michael made the switch to GT racing. After an intensive two-day assessment, Michael secured one of the most desired race seats under the Mclaren DDP program.

Sadly the COVID-19 pandemic meant the 2020 season was postponed, but Michael will be racing again in 2021 - competing in the British GT Championship.

Driver CV
I am very happy to have worn the colors of Morocco to reach such a level of sucess. I've learned a lot and I am determined to continue my ascent.

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