After karting, parent’s need to chart their child’s journey into cars. In this week’s edition of the Driver Development Roundup, parents will get some advice on what to consider. I also have the inspiration of Alex Zanardi and much more.
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
What Comes After Karting? An Interactive Parent Workshop
Watch a replay of Drivers Lab’s recent parent workshop on what comes after karting above.
The Rise of Young Talent: Why F1 Teams Are Investing Earlier Than Ever
Over the past decade, teams have shifted from relying on experienced, proven drivers to investing in younger talent earlier in their careers. The change is not accidental. It reflects a broader restructuring of how drivers are developed, evaluated, and integrated into the sport.
At the centre of this evolution is a growing network of driver academies, data-driven scouting, and long-term planning. The result is a pipeline that identifies potential earlier, shapes it more precisely, and delivers drivers to the grid at a younger age than ever before. Formula1News.co.uk explains why F1 teams are investing in driver talent through their academies earlier than ever.
Telitz Sees Similarities, Rapid Growth in Co-Driver Pedersen’s Transition to GT Racing
Vasser Sullivan Racing’s newfound partnership of longstanding veteran Aaron Telitz and newest co-driver Benjamin Pedersen is already off to winning ways after just three rounds.
The duo, driving the #12 Lexus RC F GT3, delivered a GTD class victory in IMSA’s round earlier this month at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. It not only stood at Telitz’s sixth victory and first since 2023 (Watkins Glen), but also shined a spotlight on Pedersen’s adaptation to the team and to GT racing.
Explained: How FIA Driver Categorisation Keeps Endurance Racing Fair
FIA Driver Categorisation plays a key role in providing a balanced competitive environment for the worldwide ecosystem of endurance and GT racing, but how does the system actually work?
In the video above, the FIA break down how drivers are ranked between Bronze and Platinum, what criteria are taken into account, and how racing series worldwide, including the likes of the FIA World Endurance Championship, make the use of the system.
Formula 2 ‘Would Love’ Further American Expansion
Formula 2 competed in America for the first time in its history at the Miami Grand Prix—and its boss says he would love for the championship to grow its presence across the country.
“We’d love to come back, we’d love to have F2 in America anyway, and I’m sure there will be other opportunities because Formula 1 is racing also in Austin and Las Vegas, and so there are a lot of possibilities.”
BRACKET Becomes Official Partner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux Talent Pool
Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux and BRACKET have joined forces in a new partnership where performance, image and talent development take centre stage. From this season onwards, BRACKET is the official clothing supplier of the PCCB Talent Pool, making the brand a visible partner within the championship.
The collaboration goes beyond clothing alone. BRACKET supports the young talents, the future of the category, in their professional appearance, both on and off the circuit. In doing so, the brand actively contributes to an environment where performance, presentation and confidence come together.
The Weight You Don’t See: Mental Health in F1 and the Bottas Case
Valtteri Bottas’ letter published on The Players’ Tribune in May 2026 is not a confession. It is a documented account of what Formula One does to a person when performance becomes the only permissible identity. This article examines what Bottas said, why he kept silent for years, and what his decision to speak reveals about a sport that is only beginning to reckon with the weight it places on those inside it.
DB Motorsport examines the letter and the state of mental health in F1 here.
FIA FR and FIA F4 World Cups Confirmed for Macau 2026
The FIA FR World Cup and FIA F4 World Cup have been confirmed for 2026 with both events taking place during the 73rd Macau Grand Prix week from 19-22 November.
At the same time, the entry selection framework has been established for the FIA FR World Cup with details of the FIA F4 World Cup entry process to be announced in due course.
Get more details on the races here.
BTCC Unveils New Junior-Level Car
Race-winning British Touring Car Championship team Power Maxed Racing has begun production of the cars which will be used for a new junior championship on the BTCC package from next year.
Named the PM1, the junior race car is being built from the ground up and engineered specifically for 14–17-year-old drivers while bringing together some of the most respected names in motorsport to deliver this bespoke, purpose-built race car. The involvement of brands considered ‘household names’ in terms of Motorsport, ensures the PM1 will deliver the performance, reliability, and data expected for a top-level Junior Championship.
More details can be found here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
Why Apply for the PT Autosport Aspiring Drivers Shootout?
Because opportunities to make your dreams come true do not come around often.
The Aspiring Driver Shootout is built for any driver who’s ready to be seen, evaluated, and pushed to the next level. If you believe you belong in the room or on the racetrack, this is the moment to prove it.
You’ve only got til May 31st before applications close. Don’t miss your shot. Apply now here:
On the Podcast
Why You Need to Know Your Car with Michelle Della Penna
This week’s podcast features President of the Della Penna Foundation, Michelle Della Penna. We discuss the importance of knowing your car, why it promotes better team communication, and much more.
The episode drops Wednesday, May 13th 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/.
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
Motorsport sponsorship from F1 to the WEC and all the way down to grassroots racing is the focus of last week’s Business of Being a Race Driver. Dive into analysis and practical advice you can apply directly to your own motorsport career.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Martinius Stenshorne on Using the Sim to Master New Tracks
Martinius Stenshorne discusses using the sim to learn new tracks in last week’s edition of the Sim Racing Roundup. You will also learn about sim racing rigs and F1 drivers, adjusting your brake pedals and more!
Driver Journeys
The Incredible Life Of Racing’s Alex Zanardi
This week, I’m taking a slightly different approach to the Driver Journeys series. Instead of focusing on an active driver, I’m reflecting on someone we recently lost: Alex Zanardi. The purpose of Driver Journeys is to learn from the paths drivers take to reach where they are today—but in Zanardi’s case, his journey offers something deeper.
Alex Zanardi embodied determination. He had a rare ability to face adversity head-on and transform obstacles into challenges to be conquered. He represented speed, courage, and above all, joy. His story goes beyond racing—it’s about mindset, resilience, and perspective.
“I’m Alex Zanardi, a big optimist, a man who learned that in life, as long as you have something to fight, even the greatest defeat can be [a new adventure]“
Below are two profiles that I strongly encourage you to read and truly take in.
Williams-Linked Sara Matsui in the Spotlight for Rookie Kyojo Cup Campaign
Japan Racing Insider catches up with 15-year-old karting prodigy Sara Matsui as she made her first steps into single-seaters last weekend together with Kondo Racing. “I started karting when I was five years old, and maybe a few years later I knew about Kyojo Cup — it started around 10 years ago [in 2017],” says Matsui. “So that’s how I knew about the series and I just thought, ‘I want to join Kyojo one day.’”
Read the full profile here.
Jessica Hawkins: From Karting Prodigy to British GT Contender
Jessica Hawkins’ rise through the motorsport ranks has rarely followed a conventional path — but few drivers on the British scene have shown the same resilience in carving out a career at the highest levels of the sport.
Her journey began at just eight years old, quickly establishing herself as one of Britain’s brightest young karting prospects. Hawkins claimed cadet titles in the UK before immediately making an impact internationally, winning on her European debut and building a reputation as a fierce competitor from an early age.
Read more about here journey at Pitlane News here.