F1 Academy has completed three seasons so far. As is enters its fourth, you will learn where the series is on its driver development path in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. All this and much more!
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
Four Years in, Formula 1 Finds Progress On and Off track with F1 Academy
While the ultimate goal for Formula 1’s F1 Academy is still a work in progress, the series feels like it’s making gains on and off the track and finding fresh commercial momentum a few months into its fourth campaign.
Founded in 2023, the all-female junior formula is F1’s big bet to get a female driver back into the top flight of the global auto racing property. Only five women have ever driven in a grand prix in F1, which was founded in 1950; the last one was decades ago. But because auto racing is one of the rare sports in which men and women can compete at the same time, F1 arguably has unique potential in women’s sports.
“In just four years, F1 Academy has firmly established itself as a credible step on the feeder series ladder,” Emily Prazer said, citing how Doriane Pin is a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team development driver and now racing in the European Le Mans Series. She noted that F1 is fully funding the move the annual champion makes after F1 Academy, “creating a clear and tangible pathway forward. We’re already seeing the impact of that pathway in real terms.”
Doriane Pin Just Made F1 History for Mercedes. She Wants More Chances for Women Drivers
Doriane Pin has become the first female driver to pilot a Mercedes Formula 1 car after completing her maiden test at Silverstone on Friday.
The 22-year-old French driver, a Mercedes development driver, completed 76 laps of the Silverstone National Circuit in the championship-winning W12 from the 2021 season, covering 200 kilometers in total.
“It’s a big day, a historic day,” Pin told The Athletic. “I was able to show (people) that no matter the gender and no matter the path you took before, you can drive a Formula 1 car.”
Where Are F1 Academy’s Champions Now?
After three seasons, Paddock Project takes a look at where the past three F1 Academy champions are now. “A little over three years ago, F1 Academy didn’t exist. Marta García hadn’t yet been crowned its inaugural champion. Abbi Pulling was racing in W Series and British F4 (of which she had to pull out due to lack of budget). Doriane was still making her name in endurance racing and just starting her single-seater career. Today, all three women are professional race drivers on trajectories that would have been difficult to picture in 2022.”
Read the full post here.
Lody Natasha: “Who Else is Going to Make Our Dreams Come True if not Ourselves?”
Lody Natasha does not come from a family with a motorsport background. She built her motorsport career from scratch on her own as a mother and a florist. Becoming a rally driver in AXCR is the best adventure she could have imagined, and it has now become her life’s ambition.
“My struggle is perhaps four times harder than other drivers because I have to fight for every single step by myself,” said Lody, opening the conversation with Females in Motorsport.
Read her full profile here.
Formula 2 Keen to Become More Attractive to American Drivers in the Future
Formula 2 is keen to attract more American drivers to follow Colton Herta and race in the series in future, ahead of its first races in North America next month. “What we want at the end of the day is to get many more drivers from America, that’s really the idea,” CEO Bruno Michel told RACER. “If you look at the nationalities of drivers in Formula 3 and in Formula 2, we have drivers from all over the world. But we didn’t have really, really the number from America. Before Jak Crawford, the last one we had was Logan Sargent, who after that got to Formula 1, which is good, but we know we need more.”
The Real Cost of Reaching Formula 2: A €10.86M Breakdown
Drive Line looks at the real costs of reaching Formula 2. “We analyzed the full cost of the competitive pathway from first kart to an F2 seat. The number: €10.86M. Here’s how it breaks down across 14 years and 7 stages.” Read the full post here.
The Motorsport Myth
Most of what gets said to young drivers sounds helpful.
“Just focus on driving.”
“Keep pushing.”
“You’re so good.”
In karting and junior categories, many parents assume the system works in a straight results-based line. More wins → more recognition → more progression. Pure Performance Group explains why this is a myth on their Instagram post here.
Formula Global Shootout Program
The Formula Global Shootout Program (FGSP) is the only championship managed shootout program to award a full funded F4 championship. With 9/12 seats already secured, register to enter your place in the program to secure the last few seats remaining. One deserving driver will walk away with once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a fully funded FIA certified F4 program.
Registration for the shootout here:
Arvid Lindblad on Skateboarding, Drive to Survive and Finding His Feet in F1
In an exclusive interview with BBC Newsbeat, Arvid Lindblad, the youngest British driver in F1 history spoke about his early results, a new hobby and the Netflix moment he has been dreaming about since he was ten.
“I don’t think it’s fully sunk in. This is something I’ve been working towards my whole life. So the fact it’s come true is extremely special, extremely cool.”
Mario Andretti: Let Me Tell You Why I Don’t Respect Mediocrity
In a. column for The Athletic, Mario Andretti explains why he despises mediocrity. “I despise mediocrity. Or I don’t respect it. Let’s put it that way. You know why? Because it is so convenient.” You can read his full column here.
DW Driver Management F4 Taster Program
Dreaming of F4, but not sure where to start? The bespoke Taster Programme by DW Driver Management is designed to help drivers take the right first step: assessing potential, identifying key areas for improvement, and defining a clear pathway forward. Each program is tailored to the driver’s current stage of development, because every racing journey is different.
Your racing journey starts here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
2026 Porsche Talent Pool Programme
The new Porsche Talent Pool Programme supports young racing drivers as they seek a successful career in motorsport. Eligible participants took part in a two-day pre-season Training Camp at Silverstone, but that was just the beginning.
Attracting and encouraging young racing talent has long been a key objective for Porsche around the globe. The Porsche Talent Pool Programme from Porsche Cars GB is new for 2026, it is designed to support promising young racing drivers as they develop in all areas of their careers. Eligible racers from Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup GB, and Porsche Carwow Sprint Challenge GB, are equipped with the tools they need to succeed, with a tailored package of support unlike anything else on offer in British motorsport.
A two-day pre-season Training Camp held at Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone, delivers tailored guidance on physical and mental preparation from Porsche Human Performance experts, a Michelin Tyre Masterclass, a technical session with the Porsche Motorsport GB Technical Team, and bespoke media training. This is followed by a mid-season review, taking place at Michelin’s UK headquarters, where drivers can share their progress, and continue to benefit from the insights shared through the initiative.
There are also impressive financial rewards on offer. Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup GB and Sprint Challenge GB participants battle for a generous cash prize, or an attractive discount on the following season’s Entry Fee, for the Talent Pool winner in each championship. All participants also receive bespoke Talent Pool Programme clothing and vehicle branding, helping them to stand-out in the busy Porsche paddock.
Ian Fletcher, Motorsport Assistant Manager: “The Talent Pool Programme is for new drivers to each of our championships, who are under 25 years old, with aspirations to improve their craft in the GT racing world. We’ve aligned with Porsche championships around the world, taking inspiration from what other markets do with their Talent Pool initiatives, or Junior Programmes, and using what we know from our own Junior Programme, to bring everything together.”
Read more about the program here.
The Driven to Succeed Driver Development Program is Now Open
The Driven to Succeed Driver Development Program is now open. Built for the next generation of female drivers ready to take motorsport seriously. Limited spots available.
You can apply now here.
McLaren Sign Youngest-Ever Recruit to Driver Development Programme
McLaren have announced that British karter Harry Williams has been signed to their Driver Development Programme, making the 11-year-old the youngest-ever recruit.
“Harry is a fantastic karter who has impressed on the national and international stage so far, so we are excited to see how he develops as a McLaren driver going forward. Our goal is to build a consistent pipeline, laddering into our race programmes in F1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship for many years to come, and adding Harry as a talented young karter demonstrates this. Welcome to the team, Harry.”
Zhenrui Chi Joins the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy
The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is pleased to announce that Zhenrui Chi has joined its Driver Academy. The 17-year-old, regarded as one of China’s most promising young racing drivers, becomes the latest addition to the Academy’s expanding roster as the team continues to strengthen its long-term pathway for developing emerging talent from across the global motorsport landscape.
As a member of the team’s Driver Academy, Zhenrui will race in an Aston Martin Aramco-liveried car, introducing the marque’s iconic green to the Formula Regional grid.
Zhenrui’s signing follows a comprehensive selection process carried out by the team’s Driver Academy programme, which first saw him driving at its evaluation day in Mugello before tracking his impressive 2025 campaign. Over the course of the season, he demonstrated consistent front-running pace and racecraft across European and Middle Eastern F4 categories, delivering a series of standout performances that underlined his talent.
You can get more details on the process AMR use here.
On the Podcast
Why You Need a Professional On Your Side with Franco Chiocchetti
This week’s podcast features industry CEO of motorsport engineering solutions provider Race On, Franco Chiocchetti. We discuss the importance of working with true motorsport professionals, why working with them is much like compounding interest, and much more. His insights on working with trusted motorsport professionals is important advice for any racing driver.
The episode drops Wednesday, April 29th 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
Yas Heat Academy Uncovers UAE’s Young Racing Talent with Al Sabq 2026
Yas Heat Academy staged the second edition of its flagship grassroots programme, Al Sabq, on Saturday April 18 at Yas Marina Circuit, attracting a record turnout of young Emirati participants.
A total of 26 boys and girls aged 5 to 7 took part in this year’s selection event, double the number from the inaugural 2025 programme which had 13 participants, marking a significant milestone in the initiative’s growth and nationwide reach.
Full details can be found at Gulf News here.
FIA Karting Academy Trophy Returns
It’s nearly back… The FIA Karting Academy Trophy returns in Chiva-Valencia over 7-10 May with the largest grid ever.
Tony Kart and Hitech to Collaborate on New ‘Karts to Cars Program
OTK Kart Group and the karting manufacturer’s Tony Kart Racing Team has formalized its long-standing relationship with Hitech, the British single-seater racing team by collaborating on the creation of an official ‘Karts to Cars Programme’.
The long-term partnership is aimed at identifying, providing opportunities for, and developing Tony Kart Racing Team drivers as they look to progress to single-seater racing. More details can be found here and here.
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
Motorsport offers a unique sponsorship opportunity and last week’s Business of Being a Race Driver explains why. You will also learn why IMSA is the most underpriced platform in motorsport and more.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Joshua Rogers Shines in Race Debut
Joshua Rogers, who has built his reputation as a talented sim racer, shined in his real-world racing debut, and I have the details in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. You will also learn how a sim had a role in Ty Gibbs recent NASCAR win, how sims help learn new tracks and more!
Driver Journeys
Juan Manuel Correa On Moving From F2 to Indy NXT and More
In the second part of an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, Juan Manuel Correa spoke about switching from F2 to Indy NXT, his IndyCar ambitions, the friendlier atmosphere in the North American paddock, and his 2026 season so far. You can read the first part here.
“The doors in F1 are very small. And to get an opportunity, it’s difficult. I just didn’t see like there was a path forward towards Formula 1. So that’s where I decided to make the switch.”
Leonardo Fornaroli Interview: Finding Motorsport, Meeting Valentino Rossi, And Italy’s Emerging Generation
“Probably the best days of my life,” reflects a grinning Leonardo Fornaroli, casting his mind back to a magical few days in December that saw him crowned Formula 2 Champion, sign for the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and celebrate his 21st birthday. “The best gifts I could have asked for,” he adds. Read bout the Italian’s journey so far on the McLaren website here.
Gabriele Minì on Revamping His Approach and Title Fight Lessons from F3 to F2
After stepping up to FIA Formula 3 and securing victories and fighting for titles, Gabriele Minì graduated to Formula 2 and once again, proved he was a front runner.
But the Alpine Academy talent has learned a great deal along the way, and he details the biggest lessons and improvements he’s made since being a rookie.
The MP Motorsport driver hopes he can take all these factors into a title fight in 2026. Read about his journey from F3 to F2 on the Formula 2 website here.