MSA4 is set to revive South African single-seater racing as the new F4-inspired class replaces the country’s aging F1600 championship. You will find out how and why the class was created in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I also have advice on becoming a professional race driver, news on F4 in Central America and spotlights on 3 young drivers and their careers so far plus much more.
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
In the video above, Enzo Mucci asks, are you doing what needs to be done? “This video is for the drivers who are dreaming of F1 or becoming a professional race car driver. Delusion is a fine line.”
Although the article was published in 2014, “So, You Want to be a Race Driver? Here’s How…” by Automoblog still has some great advice on how to go about it. “A racing driver does not drive as fast as he can. He does not push his limit, he does not have a limit, per-se. A true racer drives as fast as the vehicle underneath him can go, and knows only the limits of it, not himself.”
Driver Development Program News & Resources
2025 promises to be a bumper new racing season for South Africa single-seater participants as Formula 1600 is retired and a new MSA4 Formula is launched utilising a locally designed and manufactured halo-inspired car, designed by Kyalami-based firm WCT Engineering, powered by Volkswagen and dubbed the Investchem MSA4.
“We have been incredibly impressed with the safety and performance features and will be ready to start racing in the second week of March 2025 at Killarney.
MSA4 Formula participants interested may contact kgregory@investchem.co.za.
Vic Maharaj, Motorsport South Africa CEO, says the cars will race in the new MSA4 Formula sanctioned by Motorsport South Africa. “We are excited to be able to offer local racers a more modern and affordable option for this series and think it will add a much-needed boost for young drivers looking to move up from karting. We wish Ian and the whole development team much luck with the new racing season in 2025.”
More details can be found at the Motorsport South Africa website.
Feeder Series has put together a season guide to F4 NACAM, the North and Central American (NACAM) Formula 4 Championship. The main difference from 2023 is that this season’s drivers will race with the Gen-2 F4 NACAM cars. Last year, it was announced that the championship would be switching from the Mygale M14-F4 chassis to the Tatuus T-421, with tyres provided by Pirelli. With the support of FEMADAC for importing the cars, the final cost of each of these vehicles is €88,000, plus €2,500 in packaging related themes.
Similarly from the previous season, the winner receives an invitation to the Ferrari Driver Academy’s Scouting World Final in Italy, with support from Escudería Telmex in Mexico. You can learn more about the series here.
Autosport explains how the Motorsport Games are succeeding in a crucial mission. “We want to promote youth and diversity, and to go down to a younger age exactly embodies what the Motorsport Games is about,” Stephane Ratel says. “We want as many countries represented, we want as many categories represented. Motorsport is very often perceived as very expensive, with all the luxury and sparkles of Formula 1. For the general public, it seems not accessible, while the FIA and motorsport has to be for everyone.”
Spirit Motorsport have expanded their Driver Development program to include Karters.
Team Principal John Cowan said “We want to build upon the success of the current Driver Development program which saw Driver Deborah Stokes go from never being to a race track before to finishing 3td in Class in her Debut race and offer a service to Karters in preparation for moving to car racing.”
Spirit Motorsport offer a one stop shop for the Karter with the program including Fitness Training, On track performance coaching and Marketing Support.
The on track Coaching will be carried out by an experienced Local Karting Coach.
Part of the package will include fitness coaching from a top Motorsport Fitness consultant with Formula 1 and Le Mans Drivers as clients.
John himself has 22 years of experience in Motorsport from his initial start as Driver Manager to British Touring Car Hyla Breese to brokering deals for Teams in LMP2.
The key to our success is the development of long term business relationship we aim to take the Karter on a motorsport career development program that will see them depending on their age transition to appropriate from of Car Racing such as the BRSCC Junior Ford Fiesta Series or the Citroen C1 Endurance Championship.
You can get more information on the program and contact Spirit Motorsport here.
The FIA World Endurance Championship has issued a 28-car entry list for the rookie test that will take place at Bahrain International Circuit after the season finale. A total of 13 Hypercars and 15 LMGT3 runners make up the field for the one-day test on Nov. 3, with several teams electing for reduced presences in the test that immediately follows the season-closing 8 Hours of Bahrain.
Driver Development Pathways
Motorssport UK magazine Revolution has a feature on privateer driver Marcus Littlewood and his path from karting to racing Radicals. “After putting together a limited budget, he opted to join the Radical SR1 championship as a privateer, becoming one of just two non-team-based entrants in the paddock. It would be a big step up for Steve Littlewood, his dad, as the former kart racer who had been on the spanners through Littlewood’s karting career, would now oversee running an entire race car.”
You can read the full article here.
BlackBook Motorsport talks to McLaren Junior Bianca Bustamante, a driver who was just named to the list of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes (50MM) about her up career in motorsport so far as well as on breaking down barriers, social media, and building her personal brand. “I laugh when people say I’m marketable.” You can read the full feature here.
Williams have signed an up-and-coming 10-year-old karting prodigy to their academy after he demonstrated rapid progression and impressive results across a number of series. Lucas Palacio, an American racer who first took to the wheel at the age of three, becomes the Grove outfit’s newest and youngest addition to their junior program as he joins figures such as Lia Block and Luke Browning.
While exciting news for Lucas and his family, Alan Dove wonders if the pressure put on such young shoulders is too much for someone so young. “I question whether it is wise to extend such pressures to children as young as 10. Williams must carefully consider the broader implications of this decision, including the potential secondary consequences. That being the changing nature of the karting paddocks around the world.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former 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.
