Opportunities in race driver development highlight this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I also have advice from Oscar Piastri, the Williams Racing Driver Academy mid-season progress report and three driver journeys you can take inspiration from.
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
HP TECH Motorsport has announced its entry into the 2026 GT America powered by AWS, fielding a Ferrari 296 GT3 in what will be the team’s first official season of competition in the SRO Motorsports Group paddock.
As a first-year entrant, the team is approaching the 2026 season with a measured and disciplined outlook. With a focus on creating a structured, team, and development-oriented environment, HP TECH Motorsport aims to support drivers at various stages of their careers while contributing constructively to the broader racing community.
“Our entry into GT America for 2026 is the result of careful planning and a shared vision for the future of our program,” said Jorge Herrera, Team Principal, HP TECH Motorsport. “We are committed to building a team that is not only competitive, but structured to support driver development in a meaningful way. Supporting talent like Tony Davis will continue to be a core focus of what we do.”
Synergy Motorsport is looking for young aspiring Race Drivers with the appropriate budget who want to further their career in both Australia & the USA. They are looking to expand their USF2000 program after a very promising 2025 campaign. In 2026 Synergy Motorsport has opportunities in Australian Formula Ford & the USF2000 Series.
If you think you have what it takes and want to advance your career please contact Justin Cotter. +61 414 378 867
A trio of Toyota Gazoo Racing North America development drivers recently tested a Lexus RC F GT3, in what Lexus senior motorsports manager Jeff Bal emphasized was indicative of Toyota’s growing sports car racing ladder system.
“We’re always looking for potential,” Bal told Sportscar365. “That is not indicative of our entire effort. But collectively in a public setting, it’s the first time we had drivers observed without advertising them.
A start-line massive crash during one of the recent races in the Italian F4 Championship has brought back a recurring debate: just how safe is Formula 4, and, most importantly, are 15-year-old rookies really ready for single-seater racing? Vroom Kart looks into the issue.
“When horsepower suddenly jumps to nearly 200 in F4 (not to mention the 270 hp in Formula Regional) and car driving techniques differ so much—just try sitting in an OK kart, then an F4 car—the difference can be the gap between learning to “earn your racing stripes” step by step and seriously hurting yourself (or at least the wallet of the one paying).”
Winning titles in junior categories offer key lessons in fighting for the Formula 1 championship, says Oscar Piastri. “I raced against Logan Sergeant for the championship in F3 but there’s much less involved before you get to F1. There’s no pitstops, there’s no strategy, it’s purely just go out and try and beat each other and finish ahead of each other.”
Reigning F3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli leads the Formula 2 title race 10 rounds into the 2025 season, with four to go. He explains to Autosport why he seeks consistency over wins. “Because consistency is the key in feeder series now, because the level is so high that doing points every race can actually put you in contention for the title. Also, I didn’t need to win a race to win the title.”
Sports Business Journal reports that NASCAR is considering changing its rules in the coming seasons to allow its premier series drivers to moonlight in the lower-tier national series more often, as the sport looks for the right balance between talent development and entertainment value.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
A2 Racing, a new Hamilton-based race team founded by Antonio Bruno and Adam Spencer in partnership with A2 Capital, is driving investment into Canada’s next motorsport stars.
The team’s newly launched development program awards cash scholarships for every podium and championship earned, plus funding for open-wheel race car testing and race school. Led by co-founders Bruno and Spencer, with operational support from Team Director Chris Tufford, the program combines competitive karting with professional coaching, fitness and nutrition support, mental conditioning, media training, and business skills to help young drivers secure sponsors and build sustainable careers.
“Our scholarship model rewards performance while removing some of the financial barriers that hold talented drivers back,” said Bruno. “We’re giving the next generation every possible advantage both on and off the track.”
The 2026 season will focus on the Hamilton Regional Kart Club schedule, as well as national-level Rotax events. Applications are now open for dedicated drivers ready to race for results and rewards.
To apply, send a racing bio and a 30-second intro video to info@a2racing.ca.
More information at www.a2racing.ca.
Baseline Performance Simulators has announced a new partnership with GridShark Athletic Performance, further expanding their mission to become a complete driver development destination, both on and off the simulator. As part of the partnership, Gridshark will now operate directly from the BPS facility, making use of their on-site gym and newly refurbished shower room. This means their drivers can now train physically, mentally, and technically – all under one roof.
More details can be found here.
Mercedes-Benz Canada and Road to Racing (R2R) are collaborating to fuel the next generation of Canadian motorsport talent – supporting young Canadian drivers while facilitating opportunities for Mercedes-AMG customers to participate in world-class driving experiences.
“Motorsport is in the DNA of every Mercedes-AMG vehicle and there is no better way to experience the true power of an AMG than by pushing it to its limits on the track,” says Andreas Tetzloff, CEO, Mercedes-Benz Canada. “As part of our Driving Your Future corporate citizenship initiative, our partnership with Road to Racing is rooted in a shared commitment to developing the next generation of Canadian motorsport talent. When young people are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential, it creates a better future for us all.”
Driving Your Future is a Mercedes-Benz Canada initiative that aims to advance positive change by empowering the next generation of Canadians through mentorship and opportunity.
“This is exactly what Road to Racing was built for—connecting brands with purpose, performance, and future talent,” says Neil Braun, Founder and President of Road to Racing Canada. “Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with excellence, and together we’re creating opportunities for young athletes while delivering unforgettable experiences to clients. With this new partnership, Mercedes-AMG joins a growing network of forward-thinking companies helping to redefine what motorsports sponsorship looks like: high-impact, values-aligned, and community-driven.”
Rolex 24 at Daytona winner and Flying Lizard Motorsports Co-Owner Darren Law has taken on the position of Executive Director at SAFEisFast, a leading role in providing free championship-winning advice to the next generation of aspiring racing drivers.
“For years I’ve seen the work that SAFEisFast and the RRDC have done to help young drivers develop the skills they need to make it in motorsport and I’m immensely excited to become a part of that mission,” said Darren Law, SAFEisFast Executive Director. “I look forward to continuing Jim’s creative vision for the program and leading it into this new era.”
Bobby Rahal, RRDC President, added: “We at the RRDC are confident that Darren Law will continue the excellent work that SAFEisFast has accomplished since its introduction by the RRDC in 2010. Darren’s talent, racing experience and savvy business sense are major assets to this important program and will only benefit SAFEisFast’s ongoing mission.”
Williams Racing have issued their mid-season Academy report for 2025. The class of ’25 has the Williams Racing Driver Academy featuring in four different single-seater championships as well as karting. Their junior ranks have grown to nine drivers as part of their commitment to the future, with the Williams W racing in F2, F3, F4, F1 Academy, and multiple karting championships.
Read the mid-season report here.
Red Bull has welcomed two new talents to its Junior Team: Swiss driver Chiara Bättig and Italian Mattia Colnaghi. Fifteen-year-old Bättig is set to make the step up from karting to Formula 4 next season, representing Red Bull Racing as part of the Austrian team’s Junior Program. Colnaghi, in turn, will make the transition to Formula 3. Here, he will be racing for MP Motorsport.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
The impact of simulators on motorsport has been enormous, especially in the last 5 years and last week’s Sim Racing Roundup explains why. I also have tips on racing in the rain, tech reviews and a sneak peek at Project Motor Racing.
Driver Journeys
Simon Zhang has dominated all three rounds of the Chinese F4 season so far and took a clean sweep of victories in the most recent round at Zhuhai to lead the championship with 258 points. Feeder Series spoke with the 17-year-old to talk about his season and how racing in Europe has aided his campaign in China.
“In Europe or Italy, it’s more young people and they have more experience than me in Italy too. So it’s a lot tougher in Italy compared to China.”
Ever since he was a young child, Luca Engstler has been in love with motorsport. And it’s easy to see why. The Engstler name has become synonymous with success, whether that be in touring cars or GT racing. It is a name that comes with a great deal of expectation too. Get to know the journey of the latest addition to the Lamborghini Factory Driver roster. He’s out to carve his own unique journey in racing and is especially keen to learn from the very best in the business.
“Definitely sharing the car is something that I had been looking forward to the most. Driving solo in the DTM has been very beneficial for me, learning the car and working with the setup to suit my driving style, but there’s something special about sharing the car. I get a lot of support from the other guys and it’s all about compromise too: finding something that works for all three drivers and take part in the briefings. But, honestly, with Mirko and Jordan, you can give them anything and they will find a way to be fast, so it’s just about getting me up to their level.”
Rianna O’Meara-Hunt is racing towards the history books. The talented 23-year-old driver is currently based in the UK as she looks to accelerate her motor sport dreams and become the first Kiwi woman to drive in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
En route, she also has her sights on becoming the first New Zealander to secure a drive in F1 Academy, the female-only Formula 4 single seater racing championship founded by the Formula One group. Currently in its third season, F1 Academy also has its own Netflix series, to go alongside the trailblazing ‘Drive to Survive.’
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.
