Contract advice is just part of what you will find in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I explain why you should be cautious before signing any contract. All this and much more!
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
The Real Price of Chasing a Racing Career
Formula E Rookie Test
Formula E’s rookie test returned on March 22nd, with a host of motorsport talent that hit the track, behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo. Here’s all you need to know about the test and the drivers taking part.
More Than Equal Panel | Sophia Flörsch, Finn Macpherson and Rhianna Parris-Smith
More Than Equal brings together three voices from elite sport and motorsport for an honest and practical panel discussion:
- Sophia Flörsch, professional racing driver and FIA Formula 3 competitor.
- Finn Macpherson, Formula 2 race engineer.
- Rhianna Parris-Smith, Great Britain sprint cyclist and European champion.
Together, they share what it truly takes to perform at the highest level. From how drivers are assessed within teams and how to build trust with engineers, to managing pressure, criticism and visibility in high performance environments. The discussion explores the reality of elite preparation, the discipline required away from competition, and the importance of long term consistency over short term results. Designed to inspire and inform young female drivers and their families, this session reinforces a clear message: success requires more than talent. It demands mindset, preparation, professionalism and resilience.
Legge Fighting for Indy 500 Return
Katherine Legge made a considerable impact at the 2024 Indianapolis 500 with her e.l.f.-sponsored Dale Coyne Racing entry and has been working to make a return with the cosmetics brand and other supporters she’s rallied in 2026.
“We feel like it’s an important showcase for us, it’s an important opportunity for me, and it’s important for the next generation, because currently, there are no women on the IndyCar ladder coming up through and we are keen on changing that,” she said.
Don’t Rush Into Signing a Contract
More Than Equal Launches FutureLap to Assess Emerging Motorsport Talent
More Than Equal has launched FutureLap, a new data platform designed to modernize how emerging motorsport talent is identified, compared and understood. Developed in collaboration with global technology partner Avenga, FutureLap aggregates and standardizes verified official race data from karting and junior single-seater championships, creating a unified framework for analyzing driver performance across series, countries and competitive contexts.
Media Isn’t the Distraction
Most drivers don’t lose opportunities because of talent. They lose them because they can’t manage everything happening around them. Pure Performance Group explains why here.
Shell Motorsport Awards Return with Focus on Growth and Sustainability
The 2026 Shell Motorsport Excellence Awards (MEA) took place last weekend, marking the second edition of an event that aims to recognize achievement while supporting the sport’s future in East and Central Africa.
Organised by 254 Motorsports Club in partnership with Motorsports Kenya (Federation in Registration), the awards return after a well-attended debut in 2025 that brought together drivers, riders, teams, and industry stakeholders. While the event maintains its celebratory aspect, organisers say its broader purpose is to support growth at the grassroots level.
You can read more about the program here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
Kumho Tire U.S.A. Selects Four Pikes Peak Racers for Inaugural “Gaining Traction” Program
Kumho Tire U.S.A., one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, today announced four competitive racers selected for its inaugural Gaining Traction Program in collaboration with the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo. Matus Huska, Earl O’Maley, Ernie Ramirez and Ben Ryan are each based in Colorado, possess five years or fewer of competitive racing experience on Pikes Peak, and have demonstrated strong growth potential through exceptional skill, passion, and a fearless approach to the unique demands of racing on America’s Mountain.
You can read who the drivers are here.
On the Podcast
Why You Need to be Sim Racing with Paul Crawford of Motorsport UK
On the Podcast this week is Head of Esports at Motorsport UK and FIA Esports Commission Member Paul Crawford. We discuss why sim racing is important for both learning new skills and honing your current skills. He also talks about Motorsport UK’s role in sim racing and why they are involved.
The episode drops Wednesday, April 1st at 10:00 AM ET on all your favourite podcast platforms. Full details on how to listen and subscribe can be found here: https://motorsport-prospects-podcast-1.castos.com/.
Karting
Rayo Racing Launches Driver Development & Selection Program
Indian racing team Rayo Racing is launching a driver development program. The Driver Development & Selection Program is coming to new cities which is designed to identify and develop the next generation of racing drivers and will be your best shot at becoming a racing driver.
- 2-day intensive training
- Performance-based selection
- ₹2,00,000 scholarship opportunity
Train with India’s highest endorsed racing academy, get evaluated, and top 3 performers get ₹2,00,000* sponsorship each. The Top 3 drivers also get to represent Rayo Racing at some of the best racing events in India and beyond.
Get more information on the program here.
From karting to F1 Academy…
How does a young karter become an F1 Academy driver? Read this post from Champions Karting Academy to find out.
AKM Motorsport Focuses on Youth Development in 2026
AKM Motorsport will approach the 2026 Italian ACI Karting Championship with strong ambitions and a new structure. Marco and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s team will now rely on the Malagoli brothers, at the head of MLG Racing, to manage its karting division.
This partnership follows the path already taken in supporting young drivers. Well established in the development categories, MLG Racing brings solid experience in MINI, OK-N Junior and OK-N, with the aim of guiding the next generation.
The team will start the Italian season in Lonato from April 24th to 26th, running Parolin-TM equipment and a well-rounded driver line-up.
Streamlined Calendar for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive Championships
The World Motor Sport Council has approved a streamlined calendar for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive championships. To broaden the reach of the Arrive and Drive Europe Championship and reduce the commitment required to participate the Championship will now be held as a single round in July.
Full details can be found here.
Safety Device Approved by FIA to Support Drivers with Disabilities
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has approved the first karting seat with roll hoop attachment to facilitate disabled drivers competition in karting events.
Following approval from World Motor Sport Council today, the fiberglass high seat features an innovative lamination developed by Vita Carbon for enhanced impact resistance and can be used in karting races aligned to the FIA Karting Guidelines for Drivers with Disabilities document. Designed with an integrated roll hoop, the seat provides additional attachment points for competitors who require safety belt anchoring to support torso stability, offering drivers with disabilities additional support to enable them to race safely.
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
Shift Up Now Foundation Awards $300,000 in Grants
The Shift Up Now Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in grants to female racers and i have the details in last week’s Business of Being a Race Driver. You will also find out why going viral is overrated, the hidden economics of motorsport and more.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Verstappen Sim Racing Launches
Verstappen Sim Racing has launched, and I have all the details in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have details of iRacing coming to Apple’s Vision Pro VR headset and much more!
Driver Journeys
Racing Through The Noise with Taylor Reimer
A single bad clip can turn into a full-blown verdict online, and Taylor Reimer knows that pressure firsthand. From her first ARCA Menards Series DNF at Phoenix to the wave of commentary that followed, she breaks down what fans rarely understand about stock car racing physics, visibility in smoke, and why a 3,000 to 3,500 lb race car cannot “just stop” when chaos erupts ahead.
Listen to Taylor’s recent appearance on the Women’s Motorsport Network Podcast as they talk about her career, being a woman in motorsport and more. You can listen to the podcast here.
How Oleksandr Bondarev Became Ukraine’s First Single-Seater Champion
Oleksandr Bondarev became the first Ukrainian single-seater champion when he won the UAE4 Series title last month, but despite his dominant season, his success hasn’t always come easy. He spoke to Feeder Series about how he bounced back from a tough 2025 to make it to this point.
The Nice Guy Finishes First: Lando Norris’ Road to World Champion
For decades, Formula 1 champions were defined almost entirely by speed and success. Personality rarely entered the equation. Drivers were expected to be ruthless, composed and emotionally impenetrable. Lando Norris never quite fit that mould. The Paddock Journal explains why.