A guide to North American driver development programs is just one of the items covered in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I also have advice for those considering endurance racing, a year-long Formula 4 development program specifically designed for drivers in their final year of karting and much more!
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
If you want to become an endurance driver, then this video by Enzo Mucci is for you.
Formula E has moved to ensure F1 Academy frontrunners can be part of its second all-female test at Valencia this October after a date clash emerged, while plans to add a support series that is expected to have a significant female element have moved closer to fruition according to The Race.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds told The Race recently that Paretta was having “a live conversation” with a manufacturer in the series already and that “these amazing cars in these agile Gen3 Evo cars” offered a ready-made feeder series option. “There has to be an opportunity to use them and get value out of that investment and to bring through young drivers into electric racing,” said Dodds. “Once the Gen4 launches, where there’s an opportunity to deploy and do something with those Gen3 Evo cars, we might. The challenge I’ve given Beth is that we want more activity on track. We also want to create a pathway for people to come through into electric racing.”
Zanella Racing has announced its expansion into the USF2000 Championship as part of the 2026 USF Pro Championships. Zanella offers a number of racing services and testing programs for the young driver interested in the USF Pro Championships.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
Sixteen talented and promising young drivers have been confirmed for the Enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme for the 2025/26 academic year.
Part of Motorsport UK’s Academy, DiSE is delivered in collaboration with Loughborough College and gives talented young drivers the opportunity to gain academic qualifications alongside their competition commitments.
The bespoke two-year sporting excellence and motor vehicle education course is designed to support talented drivers and co-drivers through both the sporting and academic pathway.
You can read about this year’s class here.
Acumatica, a leading provider of cloud-based business management solutions, has announced that Kellymoss, a championship-winning Porsche racing team known for breaking barriers in motorsports, is now an Acumatica customer. As part of this dynamic new partnership, Acumatica will join forces with Kellymoss as a Platinum Title Sponsor for the 2025 Be Your Own Hero initiative, helping drive diversity in racing, elevate female athletes, and inspire youth participation in STEM and high-performance career paths.
Driver development programs are not a new concept, although in recent years, it seems the number of such programs has exploded. Part of that perception stems from high-profile efforts with the full backing of sanctions, auto manufacturers, and sponsors, such as the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program operated in conjunction with Rev Racing. In 2024, PRI looked at a number of current North American driver development programs and what they offer.
“But the new wave of driver development programs is coming at the issue from a lot of different directions, with a variety of motivations behind the programs. Whatever the reasons behind establishing these pathways to success, all are dedicated to creating opportunities for the next generation of drivers. Some of these programs are even dedicated to developing entire race teams or offering a leg up to experienced racers looking to jump to the next level. Our sources offered insight into what it takes to put drivers on the winning path, and their own reasons for launching their programs.”
RGMMC, in partnership with its sister company MPA has announced the launch of the Champions of the Future Racing Academy — an elite, year-long Formula 4 development program specifically designed for drivers in their final year of karting who are ready to take the next step toward car racing.
Led by world-renowned racing driver Augusto Farfus, the Academy offers a unique, immersive training experience that replicates the intensity and professionalism of real race weekends. With a strong emphasis on extensive track time, technical preparation, and mental conditioning, the program equips drivers with the skills, mindset, and race craft required to excel in higher categories such as Formula 4 and GT4.
Only eight slots per year will be available, ensuring tailored coaching and unparalleled access to expertise. Applications for the inaugural intake are now open. Full details can be found here.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has confirmed that the inaugural FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup will be one of the most inclusive, accessible and affordable motor sport events on the international calendar.
Following the close of applications on 22 August, the FIA is proud to announce that 108 drivers from 46 countries will compete in the event. With representation from every continent and particularly strong participation from Asia (48 drivers), the grid reflects the growing global reach and inclusivity of grassroots karting.
Notably, 14 female drivers will take part across both Junior and Senior categories, highlighting the rising participation of girls in grassroots motor sport around the world.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Isack Hadjar’s journey from sim racing to an F1 podium last weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix is just one of the topics covered in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have news on how Logitech G is supporting a sim racer’s real-world racing dreams, Johnny Herbert on why sim racing is so important to young drivers and much more!
Driver Journeys
NASCAR’s youngest sensation, Connor Zilisch, recently revealed how humble his racing ambitions once were. He admitted he would have been content earning just $30,000 annually coaching drivers on road courses if it meant staying in motorsports.
I didn’t come from a family with a name or I didn’t come from a family with boatloads of money. I’m grateful to be here. And I just try and be thankful every day that I’ve been put in this position to do what I love.”
Helmut Marko has been issuing advice to the next generation of racing talent as a Red Bull F1 hopeful was told to abandon karting. Red Bull supports young racing talent throughout all stages of their junior racing career, with the brand adding teenager Rocco Coronel to their junior team last year after impressing during a three-day test at Jerez.
Originally, the youngster planned to continue karting alongside the British Ginetta Junior Championship, but this was scrapped due to advice from Red Bull F1 chief Helmut Marko. “We realised that it was difficult to combine with the Ginetta schedule.”
Gunnar Jeannette is the first to admit it. He wasn’t a clairvoyant or an amazing psychic when he was searching for the right driver to anchor the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R as AO Racing was about to embark on its Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
But now, nearly two years later, the team principal looks like a genius as Laurin Heinrich – a relatively unknown talent before joining AO Racing in 2024 – chases his second straight GTD PRO drivers’ crown. With three races remaining this season, Heinrich, co-driver Klaus Bachler and the popular Rexy/Roxy Porsche sit third in the class standings, 97 points from the lead.
“I would be lying if I said I knew Laurin had this much potential when we specifically told Porsche that we wanted him in our car,” Jeannette says now. “That being said, I watched Laurin when he came to the Carrera Cup round at Road Atlanta in 2022, and that made an impression. The field there was pretty good already, for American standards.”
Robert Wickens said he’s targeting a full-time seat with DXDT Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next season, as he wishes to align himself with General Motors for the long-term. “I want to be a consistent staple in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” he told Sportscar365. “I want to align myself with an OEM and try to play long-term.”
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.
