BMW Motorsport has launched a mentorship project for new talent, and I have the details in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I also have news on development programs at Aston Martin and Porsche, motorsport developments in Kenya and Lithuania plus much more!
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
BMW M Launches Its “Mentoring Project” at the European Opener of the GTWC
On April 2, BMW M Motorsport announced that, in collaboration with ROWE Racing, it will launch a mentoring project for the 2026 season GT World Challenge Europe (GTWC Europe) Endurance Cup.
The project combines experienced drivers with new talent, putting that mentoring structure into real race action. It is centered on #998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The core operating principle is to form a single crew by pairing veteran and rookie drivers, sharing experience and data in actual race conditions, and fostering mutual growth together.
More details are available here.
The SRO GT Academy is Thriving in the FFSA French Circuit Championship
Organized for the first time as part of the FFSA GT French Championship in 2025, the SRO GT Academy was an immediate success. In 2026, SRO Motorsports Group will expand the program with variations across four continents, thus offering even more opportunities for young talents who dream of climbing the ranks in the world of GT racing.
The French competition retains the same format and prize for its second edition. At the end of the year, the winner will receive a prize of €150,000 and support from SRO and the FFSA Academy to help them progress to a higher level in 2027.
Open to young drivers of all nationalities, the SRO GT Academy is based solely on individual performance. Points are awarded based on six objective criteria: qualifying results, the position after the first stint of Race 1 (run by Pro drivers), the fastest lap in the race (in both races), and race pace (based on the average of the fastest laps in both races).
Full details can be found here (in French).
Ligier Offers Legends of Le Mans Drive for Top-Placed Bronze
Ligier Automotive North America has announced the creation of a new driver incentive program in IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
Building on Ligier Automotive’s global footprint, spanning LMP3 dominance, upcoming LMP2 and GT platforms, and a comprehensive ladder for endurance racing, the initiative is designed to reward teams and drivers competing within the Ligier system in North America.
At the conclusion of the VP Racing Challenge season, the top FIA Bronze-rated driver competing in a Ligier LMP3 car, either the Ligier JS P320 Nissan or the Ligier JS P325 Toyota, across the remaining nine races (including three endurance races and six sprint races) will be awarded a race seat in a Ligier JS P2 at the Legends of Le Mans event during the 24 Hours of Le Mans event in June 2027.
More details at Sportscar365 here.
Climbing the Porsche Benelux Motorsport Pyramid
Porsche Benelux have explained how their motorsport pyramid works in their Instagram post here. “The Porsche Motorsport Pyramid offers drivers the opportunity to progress step by step within the Porsche Motorsport ecosystem, continuously preparing them for the next stage of their career.”
Interview with Helena Chovancova, Assistant Manager at F4 CEZ and Reporter
Meet Helena Chovancova, a Czech motorsport journalist and Assistant Manager at F4 CEZ, where her work spans both storytelling and race operations. As a journalist, Helena writes news and historical features focused primarily on Formula 1, while in her role at F4 CEZ she helps manage team communication, media, hospitality, and the fast-paced demands of race weekends.
In this interview over at Mlle Racing, Helena reflects on her journey into motorsport, the importance of communication and teamwork, and the pride of seeing young drivers grow and reach the podium. You can read the interview here.
Racing Women Ice Driving Shootout Recap | Sweden 2026
In March 2026, Racing Women traveled to the frozen lakes of Sweden for the Ice Driving Shootout, bringing together 25 women from across the world (21 different countries, to be exact.)
After two days of intense training, high-performance driving, and industry-led seminars, only five were selected as official Racing Women Elite drivers.
This event follows on from the 2025 Global Assessments, which took place in the UK and Abu Dhabi, where over 150 competitors began their journey. The 25 finalists had already proven their potential, but on the ice, everything changed.
On a frozen lake behind the wheel of performance cars, there’s nowhere to hide. They relied on pure instinct, natural car control abilities, and the grip of studded tires.
A documentary filmed and produced by Rachel Elizabeth Bull.
Road to Success Expands Global Operations into Oceania
Global driver management organization Road to Success (RTS) has formally expanded its international operations into Oceania, marking a significant step in the company’s global growth and creating a direct pathway for emerging talent from Australia and New Zealand into the world’s leading motorsport categories.
Kelvin van der Linde on South Africa’s Growing Motorsport Presence
Few drivers embody the spirit of South African motorsport quite like Kelvin van der Linde. Having begun his racing career in karting at the age of eight, he became the youngest driver to compete in a National South African Circuit event at just 14, before being crowned the country’s youngest ever National Champion at 16. From there, he made history as the youngest winner of the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup and the youngest ADAC GT Masters Champion, a title he would claim a second time in 2019.
Pit Debrief speaks to van der Linde on South Africa’s growing motorsport presence here.
How Lithuania is Rebuilding its Junior Single-Seater Pipeline
Two Lithuanian drivers will line up on the Formula 4 Central European Zone grid this season, while a Lithuanian racing team is quietly preparing for a potential F4 program of its own. After a long period on the margins of the junior single-seater ladder, Lithuania is building momentum for a new generation of drivers hoping to forge a path to the highest levels of international racing. Feeder Series investigates the developments already underway here.
What Comes After Karting Webinar
What Comes After Karting? An informative motorsports free webinar hosted by DW Driver Management and Drivers Lab is being held on 15th April, 2026 from 17:00 – 19:00 (UAE time, GMT+4). It is open to Drivers aged 12-17 and their parents.
You can register for the webinar here.
A Study Abroad: Why Connor Zilisch Won’t Collapse Under the Early Pressure
NASCAR explains why Connor Zilisch won’t collapse under the early pressure. “Most NASCAR fans know about Zilisch’s record-breaking rookie season last year in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. They think he’s been fast in every car he’s ever been in, and that’s mostly, but not entirely, true. As part of his development, he drove unfamiliar cars on unfamiliar tracks in unfamiliar series, all to make him comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s paying off now.”
You can read the complete feature here.
Former Driver Coach Issues Attitude Warning to Arvid Lindblad
Motorsport Week reports that Lewis Hamilton’s former coach, Dino Chiesa, warned Arvid Lindblad that he must change his temperament to succeed in Formula 1 while comparing him to Hamilton. “He will be good for Red Bull, but sometimes he needs to learn to count to ten before he says something because he can be really passionate and maybe say the wrong thing.”
Uganda’s Cross Car Dream Takes Shape
Local motorsport governing body, FMU has engaged the Nakawa- based Vocational Training Institute to build an affordable cross car expected to hit the racetrack in the next three months, writes Moses Mugalu in The Observer.
“At the centre of this transformation is James Akena, president of the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU), whose vision is anchored not in elite competition, but in grassroots access. Autos & Vehicles.”
Read more about the program here.
Beyond VO₂ Max: The Critical Lever for Female Racing Drivers
In Beyond VO₂ Max: The Critical Lever for Female Racing Drivers, FlowRacers discusses how female drivers have progressed recently, especially with the F1 Academy and former W Series. Due to limited data, we’ll use young male athlete data to make the most accurate comparisons currently possible for the female driver landscape in 2026.
You can read the full article here.
Skip Barber Race Series April Townhall
Here is the link to the registration page for the Townhall: https://forms.zohopublic.com/sbrs104921/form/SkipBarberRaceSeriesTownhallInterestForm/formperma/8vEGQL5WUgsogSgLK6c7ZrXbO1S6amgG-lSrhmTZfMo.
FIA Launches New Scholarship Program to Develop the Next generation of Motorsport Leaders
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, has announced a new scholarship program in partnership with leading European business school, specializing in sport management, the European Sport Business School (ESBS). By enabling world class education in sport management, the FIA is supporting the next generation of global motor sport leaders.
The FIA Scholarship Programme has been created to widen access to high-quality education and industry experience which will provide future motor sport talent with the skills, experience, and global perspective needed to lead across the modern sporting landscape. The scholarship forms part of the FIA’s wider work to strengthen the future talent pipeline across the sport. By creating new pathways for people from a broader range of backgrounds through world-leading education, global opportunities, and financial support, the program opens doors to exciting careers both on and off the track.
Delivered in partnership with the ESBS, a leading institution in sports management education, the initiative will enable the FIA scholar to pursue a Master in International Sports Management. Ranked 18th globally, 5th in Europe, and #1 in Spain for on-site sports management program ESBS combines academic excellence with practical experience, preparing graduates to succeed in the global sports industry. The program is intended for candidates with motor sport experience who are ready to take the next step into professional leadership and management roles.
The application deadline is the 15th May 2026. More details can be found here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
AMR Driver Academy Back in Search of New Talent
As Aston Martin Racing’s (AMR) newly-crowned GT racing prodigy Kobe Pauwels (BEL) prepares to make his FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) debut at Imola on 17-19 April, the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy opens its doors again to an exciting new intake of aspiring young GT drivers from around the world.
The British luxury sportscar brand’s talent search has grown exponentially to become a well-established, proven and sought after pathway for aspiring endurance drivers, with eight previous graduates shining examples of its success and competing across the most prestigious and important sportscar series around the globe. Among those drivers is Pauwels. In addition to his full-season GT World Challenge Europe commitments with partner team Comtoyou Racing, the Belgian takes his bow with the Heart of Racing Team in WEC’s LMGT3 class standing in for Dudu Barrichello (BRA), who is on IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship duties that weekend.
Now AMR begins its search to endorse a ninth winner from this prestigious initiative. An exciting collection of promising racers, 22 in total, from ten countries, will collectively compete for at least ten different Aston Martin partner teams in 2026. This includes 2024 Spa 24 Hours winner and DTM competitors Comtoyou Racing, Nürburgring 24 Hours winners Walkenhorst Motorsport, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship [IMSA] teams the Heart of Racing Team and Van Der Steur Racing and top European Le Mans Series team Racing Spirit of Léman. Front-running domestic Vantage GT4 teams such as Mirage Racing, Racar Motorsport, Medusa Motorsport and British GT squads MKH and GBR Stratton also have aspirants registered for the pioneering program.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance, said: “We’re very proud of the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy. As the initiative matures, we see even more clearly how its alumni have flourished. Two of the six drivers racing works Valkyries are AMR Academy graduates, and at least four will contest WEC and IMSA races this season. Others will race in the GT World Challenge Europe, the Spa 24 Hours and ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours. As a tool for defining potential endurance racing talent, it’s clearly effective and we look forward to seeing who it produces in 2026!”
The initiative is designed to fast-track talent from within AMR’s thriving partner team network and is a way for it to contribute back to motorsport by investing in and honing future talent. An unrivalled platform for learning and development with an established manufacturer, the academy is fine-tuned every year and improved to effectively coach drivers in the early stages of their careers.
Competitors aged between 16 and 26 with Vantage GT3 and GT4 race programmes in recognised championships are eligible. The prize on offer for the successful graduate includes financial support towards their 2027 race program, as well as assistance and guidance from the factory, tailored to their season plans.
Further details can be found here.
Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program Expands its Reach in 2026
Porsche Motorsport North America continues to broaden the scope of its Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program in 2026, expanding beyond traditional Porsche one-make racing championships.
The evolution comes as Porsche and the Mobil 1™ brand approach a major milestone, with 2026 marking 30 years of global motorsport partnership between the two brands.
Originally centered around Porsche’s one-make ladder, the program has evolved into a wider development platform this season, with drivers now competing in series including Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, GT World Challenge America by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America, and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Read about the 2026 roster here.
Confidence and Speed: Audra Paradie’s Journey That Led to the Wendi Allen Scholarship
Women’s History Month offers a great opportunity to dig into the stories behind the announcements, and Audra Paradie’s journey is undeniably one worth telling. Beyond the results sheets and a recent press release is a driver motivated by passion, persistence, and a clear desire to grow within the sport, all of which ultimately led her to apply for – and receive – the 2026 Wendi Allen Scholarship through SCCA Women on Track.
Read more about Audra’s journey on the SCCA website here.
On the Podcast
Why Authenticity is Key with Silvia Schweiger
This week’s podcast features industry veteran and motorsport sponsorship strategist Silvia Schweiger. We dive into the importance of authenticity, why what you do off-track matters just as much as your performance on it, and much more. Her insights are essential listening, offering a clear perspective on how brands truly evaluate drivers.
The episode drops Wednesday, April 15th 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
British Kart Championships Highlights to be Broadcast on Sky Sports F1
Motorsport UK has confirmed that Sky Sports F1 will be broadcasting the Wera Tools British Kart Championships in 2026, the first time that karting has been televised on a mainstream TV channel for over 25 years. In a significant milestone for the British Kart Championships and the sport, every round of the 2026 championships will be shown in an hour-long highlights show on Sky Sports F1.
Full details can be found here.
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
Brand Building and More Advice
Brand building for athletes is just part of the advice that you will learn in last week’s edition of The Business of Being a Race Driver. I also have sponsorship intelligence, the sponsor decision calendar and more.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Skip Barber Sim Racing Series Returns with Real World Racing Prize
The Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series returns for 2026 and with it a fully funded seat in the real-world Skip Barber Formula Race Series. I have all the details in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. All this and much more!
Driver Journeys
How Indian F4 Champion Chandaria Helped Put Kenya on the Single-Seater Map
Shane Chandaria sealed his name into the single-seater history books last year as the first Kenyan to win an FIA-sanctioned single-seater championship after a sublime debut campaign in Indian F4. The reigning champion spoke with Feeder Series about his journey to the top step and what will come next.
“I don’t think it really hit me until I got out of the car and saw my parents and my family there cheering me on. Then I realized that we’d come and we’d done it in our first season, which was really empowering.”
From the FIA Extreme H World Cup Podium to Baja Victory: The Continued Rise of Hedda Hosås
Norwegian racing driver Hedda Hosås is part of a new generation of off-road racing athletes competing across a pyramid of categories that include the iconic annual Dakar event.
Her dream of a Dakar drive is a big step closer after claiming victory in her category in the 2026 Jordan round of the FIA World Baja Cup. But it was Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup that helped put Hedda’s talent on the map.
“It’s hard to put into words how much Extreme E and Extreme H have done for my career,” Hedda says. “My dream is to be an off-road world champion and that looks more realistic today for a female driver than ever before. I certainly would not be where I am without these pioneering sports, their commitment to empowering female athletes, and the unwavering support of the FIA.”
Read more about her journey here.
Evan Giltaire: The Honda ‘Exchange Student’ Making Waves in Japan
Honda-backed Japanese drivers moving to Europe and making a big impression is nothing new. But there haven’t been any concrete examples of the auto giant backing international talent and bringing them back to Japan — until now. Japan Racing Insider has an exclusive interview with Super Formula Lights racer Evan Giltaire, who is forging links with Honda via his B-Max Racing program.
“The [required] budget for FIA F3 was quite massive after FRECA. For myself and my sponsors it was too much to go to FIA F3. The budgets are getting even worse year by year, so it’s getting difficult for drivers like me that don’t have a lot of money to race. So I decided to go to Japan, because for sure it’s quite cheap, but also for the experience as a driver. I think Japan can develop a driver a lot, because there are a lot of tools of racing and a lot of good stuff that a driver can learn from it.”
Read the full interview at Japan Racing Insider here.