The new FM4 Morocco Championship has been launched, and in this exciting first issue of the 2025 Driver Development Roundup, I have all the details you need. Spoiler alert: it’s not exclusively for Moroccan drivers! Additionally, I’ll provide information on how you can test an LMP3 race car, introduce a new Australian Formula Ford series, and highlight the latest driver scholarship and development programs from across the globe.
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
In the video above, Enzo Mucci explains how you should focus on your performance, not the result. “Today’s in-car video is what I took from this weekend’d Qatar race with Oliver Bearman. Its the importance to focus on you more than the result you get.”
Another tip from Enzo is a reminder that your job is to set the fastest lap time possible. At the end of the day, nothing else matters.
In collaboration with the Royal Moroccan Motor Sports Federation (FRMSA) and the Gazelle team, AGS Racing & Events as promoter and technical support, is launching a national series for the 2024/2025 season:, the FM4 Morocco Championship. This championship, open to Moroccan and international drivers, aims to discover talented young drivers and promote motorsport in Morocco. The drivers will race on Mygale M14 Formula 4 cars.
The championship aims to bridge the gap between top-level karting and traditional F4 championships. Through a hybrid academy and competition model, drivers will benefit from a controlled environment to:
- Refine their driving style.
- Gain confidence and racing experience.
- Reduce the learning curve when transitioning from karting to single-seaters.
Willy Collignon, Director of AGS, explains: “There is a big gap between karting and the F4 championships in terms of driving style, confidence and adaptation. The iM4 will enable this transition by providing valuable experience in a framework optimized for progression.”
More details on FM4 can be found here.
While it is from their November 2022 issue, the information is still accurate. Grassroots Motorsports has prepared a helpful buyer’s guide of racing schools and coaches in the United States. You can consult the guide here.
David Cook of Racing Prodigy was recently interviewed on the Gametime Guru Podcast about the mission of the program that gives sim racers a chance to race in real life.
There are many people who aspire to be racers, but the problem is, it’s an extremely expensive sport!! So how do you break the barriers of entry with the financials? Here’s where David Cook and Racing Prodigy come in. David created Racing Prodigy!! From the Racing Prodigy website itself it states: “…Historically, the cost of pursuing a career in motorsports has been so daunting 99% of drivers never realize the opportunity or even dare dream of becoming a professional racer. As a result, most never get to experience the thrill of racing behind the wheel.”
You can listen to the episode here.
FEL Motorsports, the promoter of the Sports Car Championship Canada (SCCC) and Radical Cup Canada (RCC), has announced a collaboration with TWOth Autosport to give one standout driver from the 2025 RCC a testing opportunity in an LMP3 car.
The selected driver will have the chance to drive TWOth’s Ligier JS P315 car, in a deal that marks ‘another significant milestone in the RCC’s reputation as a proven stepping stone to higher levels of motorsport competition.’ They will be chosen based not only on their championship standings, but on a variety of criteria emphasizing talent, potential, and overall performance throughout the season.
More details can be found here.
Details of the seventh annual Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series have been announced where you will compete against a score of up-and-coming drivers all vying for the title of Champion and claiming their $250,000 Championship Scholarship to move on to the pro ranks. “Our one-of-a-kind race series is completely arrive and drive – we provide the cars, the mechanics, and instructors so that you can focus on racing to the fullest of your potential.” More details can be found here.
Marcos Ambrose has thrown his support behind a new Formula Ford series run by the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance alongside the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series from 2025.
The series is named Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series, and will be held across 10 rounds, featuring five doubleheaders at circuits such as Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway and Mallala. The Formula Ford Stars class is for Duratec powered machines, while the Renegades category is for the older and lower powered Kent engine cars.
“This series is exciting for young drivers making their way up the motorsport ladder, as well as those who continue support Formula Ford and open-wheel racing in Australia,” Ambrose said. The quality prize pool gives meaning and purpose for the drivers competing, and the TV package provides them a real shot to get noticed.”
Auto Action has all the details.
At Carbon Positive Motorsport, supporting junior drivers and championships is about more than just motorsport. It’s about shaping a culture where sustainability and competition go hand in hand and they explain how they go about it in Shaping Motorsport’s Green Future.
“Zak’s journey is one we’re incredibly proud to be part of. By offsetting the carbon emissions from his rallying activities, we’re helping him compete sustainably and set an example for his peers,” commented Carbon Positive Motorsport founder, Paul Glass. “His commitment to rallying and the environment aligns perfectly with our vision, and his journey reminds us why we’re committed to fostering talent while ensuring motorsport becomes more sustainable.”
Feeder Series takes a deep dive into the fight to keep Polish single-seater talents on the path to F1. “Compared to our neighbour countries like Hungary, like Czech Republic, like Germany, we don’t have many racing facilities in Poland,” Kucharczyk laments. “We’re not able to make young drivers … evolve, experience new things, new stuff to live up into the big world of motorsport.” You can read more about the difficulties facing young Polish race drivers here.
The Drive takes a Ferrari 296 Challenge race car to the track at looks at the Ferrari Challenge series in detail as an avenue for some to serious motorsport. For additional context, I covered the Ferrari Challenge back in 2021.
While some Challenge drivers have gone on to compete in GT3 and IMSA racing, others are content staying in the one-make series, which can cost in excess of $1 million for full race support, car transport, and enough spare parts to cover typical rubbing-is-racing incidents. Marston says the Ferrari experience involves more than just sexy race hardware, with perks including dinners with acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura and hangs with Charles Leclerc. Having won the 2024 Coppa Shell North American Challenge series, Marston says he’s still aiming to complete his goal of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “I need to start getting into that world,” he says, “but I come back to Challenge because even though it’s a competitive atmosphere, there’s a great sense of camaraderie. It seems like a funny thing to say, but it really is kind of like a family.”
You can read the complete article here.
Should F2 introduce a maximum stay for drivers? That is the question Autosport put to F2 boss Bruno Michel recently. “At the end of the day, it’s not an issue and I think it’s very important for a bright driver who wants to achieve Formula 1, to have to fight with drivers with this kind of experience, because it gives a very important and precise level of where they are when they race with a driver like Richard Verschoor,” said Michel.
You can read more about the issue here.
Curious about the Red Bull Junior Team? Autosport takes a look at their unique F1 academy.
“The Red Bull Junior Team is a driver development programme operated by Austrian conglomerate Red Bull GmbH, best known for its energy drinks brand, and headed by motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. It was officially founded in 2001 with the aim of signing and developing young racing drivers, so that they are capable of establishing successful careers within the industry. This entails Red Bull identifying drivers from Formula 2 right down to karting to fund and support their progression through the open-wheel ranks with aspirations of eventually getting to F1.”
Read more at Autosport here.
Ad Week looks at how F1 Academy brand partners is creating opportunities in both motorsports and business for women.
“’I’ve been in this sport a long time, and I’ve certainly been in very many situations where I had the feeling that I was there as a box-ticking exercise, covering diversity,” Wolff said. “But for the very first time in my career in motorsport, I’ve seen so much authenticity behind trying to create positive and impactful change in the sport.”
Read all the details here.
Shift Up Now is excited to announce that James Schenck has personally offered to match any donation to the Shift Up Now Foundation during the month of January, up to $25,000.
As a result, the foundation is launching a new fundraising challenge, called the “Race to $25K” to kick off the 2025 racing season. Shift Up Now continues to strive for gender equality for female athletes in motorsport, and the foundation furthers the mission by accepting tax- deducible gifts, donations and grants.
Funds raised from donations are used to award opportunities to racers believed to have the talent and aptitude to succeed in motorsports. This allows these racers access to more competitive equipment, seat time for testing and practice, and resources to help grow their careers.
You can get more information and donate here.
Next year, Formula 1 will see six drivers competing in their first full season in the series, including four stepping up from F2’s 2024 grid. F2 chief executive officer Bruno Michel addressed their performances this season in a Feeder Series article.
“Michel expressed his excitement at the prospect of having the top two drivers in the 2024 championship graduate to F1, the first time this has happened since George Russell and Lando Norris made the jump together after the 2018 F2 season.”
Read more here.
For the parents in the pits out there, JD Supra has a great article by family law attorney Rebecca Frino on the co-parenting challenges in youth sports. “Frino, a Partner in the Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, recently shared her expertise during a featured interview on Sponsor Spotlight for Big State Sports. Drawing from her years of family law experience, Rebecca outlined strategies to help parents create a supportive environment for young athletes.” Read and watch the interview here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
In the last year, SCCA Women on Track awarded more than $8,000 in scholarships to women looking to advance their motorsport careers. Spanning everything from SCCA® Autocross to Road Racing, RoadRally, Time Trials, and RallyCross®, these scholarships helped assist women in achieving their motorsports dreams. Inspired by last year’s successes, these scholarships are returning for 2025, with SCCA Women on Track offering even more opportunities for women looking to have #funwithcars – all that’s needed is for you to apply.
“At SCCA, we believe in empowering female drivers and motorsports enthusiasts through a variety of programs,” says SCCA Lead Marketing Manager and Women on Track Staff Liaison Andie Albin. “Our scholarship programs, funded by the SCCA Foundation, are a testament to our commitment to providing gateways into motorsports for women.”
Applicants needn’t be a member of the Sports Car Club of America to apply for any of the SCCA Women on Track scholarships, although it may be a requirement for event participation.
Details regarding all of these scholarships can be found by following the links below.
Application Deadline: Jan. 15, 2025
- SCCA Road Racing Drivers’ School Scholarship
- Wendi Allen Solo Scholarship
- National Time Trials Scholarship (regular season Time Attack Challenge)
Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
- RoadRally Scholarship
- RallyCross Nationals Scholarship
- Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship
- National Time Trials Scholarship (Time Trials Nationals)
More information on the scholarships can be found here.
The FIA Girls on Track Career Development and Mentoring Program will return to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in 2025, providing young women aged 16-22 with an incredible opportunity to step into the world of motorsport.
Taking place on Thursday, 13 March 2025, at the Albert Park Circuit, this unique program will offer participants an exclusive look behind the scenes of one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events. Highlights include a garage tour with the Kick F1 Team, a meet and greet with its drivers, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and Q&A sessions with inspiring guest speakers who will share insights into motorsport career pathways.
Now in its fourth year, the program continues to inspire and empower young women, with many past participants securing valuable roles and experiences in major events like MotoGP and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
Find out more about the program at the Motorsport Australia website here. Prospective candidates must apply through the 2025 Girls on Track Career Development and Mentoring form by 11:59pm AEDT on Monday, 6 January (today). Applicants will be notified via email by Monday 20 January with the status of their application.
There are four winners and two wildcards who will advance to the next stage of the 2024 Dunlop Destiny Program. The winners are Brad James, Tim Colombrita, Ashton Cattach, and Tyler Collins, with Rio Campbell and Ethan Grigg-Gault selected as wildcards.
The six drivers will participate in an exclusive assessment day at the Norwell in January 2025. Guided by industry experts, the assessment will evaluate both on-track and offtrack performance. The in-car criteria will include car control, speed, and consistency, while off-track considerations will focus on response to coaching, media management, presentation, and professionalism. SpeedCafe has all the details.
Ivan Machado Perez, the winner of the 2024 Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series, will join the grid for the 2025 edition of the Skip Barber Race Series. Perez, from Spain, earned a spot in a three-day shootout at VIRginia International Raceway after placing in the top three in the Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series.
Throughout the three-day program, Perez and his fellow finalists, Matt Bussa and Victor Miranda were coached and evaluated by the instructional staff of the Skip Barber Racing School. The trio completed all aspects of a Skip Barber Three Day Formula School as well as a series of unique driving sessions to determine the winner.
Don’t forget to check out my weekly Sim Racing Roundup where I feature many more drivers like Ivan who are progressing from sim racing to racing in the real world with tips on how you can as well.
World Speed Motorsports is poised for a formidable 2025 Formula Pro USA F4 Championships season, with a confirmed lineup of talented drivers and a fourth car in the works.
- Dr. Christopher DeFreitas: This emergency room physician-turned-racer will bring his experience from the TC America TCX championship and the Honda Performance Development GT3 Academy to the F4 grid.
- Alex Cornfeld: The consistent podium finisher and two-time vice-champion will continue his pursuit of the F4 title with World Speed.
- VMB Driver Development: The team is excited to support another young talent through the VMB Driver Development program, building on the success of 2024 champion Val Garbarino.
You can find more details here.
Motorsport UK magazine Revolution looks back at the year that was with the Motorsport UK Academy. “This has been an incredible year for the Motorsport UK Academy, with the current cohort and recent graduates claiming the top spot in over 17 championships across the country and further afield.” Get all the details in their cover story here.
Karting Programs
Autosport has more details on the FAT Karting League and their work to equalize the field for all drivers.
“Next year, along with relaunching our UK hub, we are opening two more in the US with four more to follow the year after. In 2025 the three hubs will work in isolation as their own championships, but competitors will also build points towards a big event at the end of the year: the FAT World Finals.From that, the best driver from the age-appropriate categories – we run racing series for children from six to 17 – will graduate through a prize drive to car racing in Formula 4. Our ambition is to push someone through F4, F3, F2 – and then you know what comes next.”
Read more at Autosport here. For information on the FAT Karting League go here.
RACER takes a look at the Parella Motorsports Holdings partnership with Radford Racing School to build a path for karters looking to move up to the world of race cars, part of their Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship.
Forming a partnership with Radford Racing School to allow young drivers to get their first race car experience and earn a competition license, PMH also established JS F4 in 2024 as an introductory step on the development ladder that leads to F4 U.S. and FR Americas.
“We enjoy working with young drivers graduating from karts to an F4 car, as it’s the perfect first step to train drivers for future success,” Goodyear continued. “Our proven program starts with the Radford Racing School, which introduces karters to the F4 race car, and continues with drivers racing in JS F4, F4 U.S. and FR Americas, before continuing their career in Europe or here in the United States.”
Read more about the program at RACER here.
Karting Australia has announced the continuation of its long-standing partnership with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, bringing new and exciting opportunities for Australian kart racers in 2025.
Over the past decade, hundreds of young Karting Australia license holders have benefited from this collaboration, including current McLaren Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri, who participated as a ‘Grid Kid’ in 2015, and Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan, who completed a demonstration lap in 2014.
Thanks to the support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Karting Australia has been able to introduce karting to the event attendees through a trackside information stand.
Find out more about the program at the Karting Australia website here.
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.
