Formula 3 has announced a one-million Euro prize fund and in this week’s Driver Development Roundup I have all the details. You will also hear from a driver explaining why the Mazda MX-5 Cup is such a good series for young drivers, details on the Feed Racing 2026 shootout and much more!
Overview
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
Formula 3 Announce One-Million-Euro Prize Fund to Support Top Five Drivers
Formula 3 has announced that the five highest placed drivers in the F3 Drivers’ Championship standings will be awarded a million-euro prize fund from the 2025 season onwards.
The prize fund will be split so the Champion receives 300,000 euros, the driver in second place receives 250,000 euros, the driver in third receives 200,000 euros, and the fourth and fifth placed drivers receive 150,000 euros and 100,000 euros, respectively. The prize requires the drivers to be racing for Formula 2 the following season, or it will go to the next highest-placed driver(s).
This million-euro fund is in addition to the existing Pirelli 300,000-euro prize awarded to the Formula 3 Champion.
“The idea to do it as it is, of course, is not going to finance a full season in Formula 2. There’s no doubt about that. Even if the first driver, if you add up what he’s already getting as a prize fund from Pirelli, plus what this prize fund will give to him, it’s going to be 600,000 euros. It’s already a good amount of money. It’s true that for the driver who is [fifth] in the championship, 100,000 euros is not going to finance a full season of F2, but it’s a help. The drivers need to find money and generally find money from several sources, not only from only one. And that will be one of them. So the prize will be fully given as long as the driver is fully competing on the season.”
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “The Formula 3 one-million-euro prize fund is an important initiative that will further incentivise drivers and provide them with a very valuable and well-deserved reward for their success in the championship. The FIA Formula 3 Championship continues to be a vital part of the pyramid system, which provides the drivers with the essential technical, physical, and mental training to rise through the championships on their journey to the highest level of our sport. We all look forward to the 2026 season and watching the incredible talent on track.”
FIA Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel, said: “I am pleased to announce this million-euro fund, which will benefit the five highest-placed Formula 3 drivers, alongside the substantial prize offered by our partner, Pirelli, which goes to the Champion. It is vital to support emerging talent on their road to Formula 1. Formula 3 is a fantastic training ground for these young racers to hone their skills to move up the pyramid, and this additional financial reward will help them to go even further in their efforts towards the pinnacle of motorsport.”
Helio Meza is Finding Opportunities Racing in the MX-5 Cup
Helio Meza kind of fell into the Mazda Motorsports ladder and Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin. But as it turns out, the series has boosted his skills like no other form of car racing he’s tried. “I would say it’s probably the series that I’ve learned the most in cars. I mean, the field is super tight,” he says, adding that, because it’s a spec class, it allows a driver’s talent to shine and develop.” Read more at RACER.
In the video above, Enzo Mucci explains what to do if your parents insist you stay in school.
The State of Toyota’s Junior Stable in Europe
Japan Racing Insider catches up with Kazuki Nakajima on the state of play of Toyota’s junior drivers as Ritomo Miyata looks set for third year in F2.
In the video above, Enzo Mucci explains how to race when you have no money. “I want to share with you again on how I got on the grid and the same still applies today. It’s tough of course but it is possible. This will take everything you have.”
A Pro Driver’s Blueprint for a Career in Fast Cars
Nik Romano has had many different jobs in the motorsports world, and his journey’s been an interesting one. The Drive charts his journey as a professional driver.
Supercars Throws Support Behind Rising Female Star
Supercars is assisting rising star Alice Buckley towards a Super2 Series program next season as part of a three-year plan for her to graduate to the main championship.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
Feed Racing 2025: Six Young Drivers, One Dream
Since 2019, Feed Racing, the driving school created by Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Lemarié has never stopped growing, and more and more drivers have come from France’s most competitive scholarship shootout. Before the grand finals of the 2025 edition which occurred on 25 September, get to know the drivers participating and the key moments at the beginning of their careers at Feeder Series here. The winner for 2025 was Yuval Rosen. 2026 registration is now open and you can register to take part here.
Christian Costoya Joins McLaren’s Driver Development Program
Formula Rapida reports that Galician karting talent Christian Costoya, reigning European champion, is set to become the newest addition to the McLaren Driver Development Program. At just 15 years old, Costoya will join forces with his fiercest on-track rival, Dries Van Langendonck, in what is being hailed as one of the most significant grassroots motorsport signings in recent years.
New Karts to Cars Program Announced
Drive Your Line KartSport competition team members can now participate in the Motorsports Talent Development kart-to-cars program. This all-new collaborative effort with TLMUSA Racing and FARA USA Racing, based in South Florida, will bring a fresh approach to transitioning drivers to the next level. Drive Your Line KartSport founder Christy Kendal-Cox wanted to cultivate a program that would give young drivers and their families a concise path to cars without the confusing, ultra-expensive, and often time-consuming options currently on the market.
” I wanted to help ease the unknown regarding the next step into professional motorsport. By leveraging a relationship with David Tuaty and his TLM USA Racing team and support from the FARA USA Racing series, we can provide common-sense solutions up front and without any guesswork. The relationship with the TLM Racing team brings decades of experience and eliminates the unknown for drivers and their families. Through this initiative, we can help students get a license and place them into competition at a level that best suits their skill set and budget.”
More details can be found here.
More Than Equal drivers are pushing their limits with research-driven testing and training, designed to unlock every ounce of performance behind the wheel.
All Road Names its F4 Shootout Winner
Kasper Schormans was named as the winner of the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy shootout which the All Road Management firm organizes. Part of the prize is a paid-for 2026 Spanish F4 seat with MP Motorsport. You can find out more about the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy here.
Sports.com Media to Acquire Racing Women in Pursuit of Motorsports Growth
SEGG Media, a global sports, entertainment and gaming group, announced that its subsidiary Sports.com Media Group has set out to acquire Racing Women Limited, an organization empowering female drivers in motorsport.
Graeme Glew, Racing Women’s founder, praised the acquisition arrangement as “the best news” in a long time. Glew, who founded Formula Woman 24 years ago, was at first unsure whether people were ready for women in motorsport. This has since changed, as the sector continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Glew concluded: “Today, with women’s empowerment and STEM initiatives driving change across motorsport, Sports.com is the perfect partner for Racing Women to accelerate growth and inspire engagement with women worldwide. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
Racing on a Shoestring Budget
Racing on a shoestring budget is a question that resonates with many aspiring drivers, and last week’s edition of The Business of Being A Race Driver dives deep into this crucial topic. Get ready for fresh, realistic insights that could change your approach to funding your racing dreams! Plus, discover the essential web page every motorsport sponsor is eager to see—packed with strategies to elevate your appeal and secure vital support.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
IMSA Team Using iRacing to Prepare for Season
An IMSA team is using iRacing to prepare for their 2025 season finale, and you will understand why in last week’s edition of the Sim Racing Roundup. I also have details on how Racing Prodigy feels they have solved motorsport’s cost problem, tech news and much more!
Driver Journeys
How Mercedes’ F1 Academy Star Doriane Pin Reached the Top
Prema Racing and Mercedes junior driver Doriane Pin is currently leading the F1 Academy championship. Four rounds and three wins into the season, Pin joined the Feeder Series Podcast to discuss her journey in motorsport so far and answer some questions from listeners. Join host Jim Kimberley and 2024 F1 Academy editor Calla Kra-Caskey as they dive into:
- Skipping School for the Ferrari Challenge
- Girls On Track and Iron Dames Program
- Endurance vs. Single-Seater Racing
- Personal Insights and Fan Interactions
- Her favourite French pastries
Racing to Become Porsche’s Next Prodigy? Danny Dyszelski on Rising Through the Ranks
This is the ultimate dream of Danny Dyszelski, a young driver from South Carolina who has been racing competitively since he was four–an age at which many kids have yet to hop on a bike. Now, at 17 years old he has already dipped his toes in open-wheel, sports cars and GT racing, taking on numerous disciplines, each with their own unique demands.
“The first time I get into a car I try to go out and not just go 100%. Like take it 60, 70%, [and] just feel it out slowly, and then slowly push it, mess around with brake techniques, throttle techniques, just to see ‘what does the car do when I do this? Does the car like this line, does it like that?’ And just making sure I stay in my comfort zone until I feel like I understand the car enough to push myself.”
Patrīcija Stalidzāne: People Believed in My Potential
From ballet to the racetrack, Latvian driver Patricija Stalidzane defied expectations to pursue her passion for speed. After a sponsor’s mid-season withdrawal forced her out of the ADAC GT4 series, Patricija faced years on the sidelines and believed her career was over. However, now she’s been competing in a double-campaign for the past two years and truly revived her career. Paddock Sorority had the chance to catch up with Patricija, here’s her story.
“I just like the idea of motorsport. I like competing against guys, because it’s more of a thrill and more fun to beat the gender that is stereotypically tougher.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
