Porsche Motorsport North America has announced the details of the popular Porsche Junior and Female Driver development programs for the 2026 seasons. and I have all the details in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I also have tips on visualizing your goal, the path Arvid Lindblad took to F1 and much more!
Overview
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
Visualizing Your Goal
The Path Lindblad Took to Earn His 2026 Racing Bulls F1 Seat
Arvid Lindblad was recently announced as a Racing Bulls Formula 1 driver for the 2026 season, becoming the latest Red Bull Junior Team prospect to make the move from F2 to the pinnacle of motorsport. Feeder Series traces the path the 18-year-old Briton took through the sport’s junior ranks to realize his F1 dreams.
Porsche Junior, Female Driver Programs to Continue in North America
Porsche Motorsport North America has announced the details of the popular Porsche Junior and Female Driver development programs for the 2026 seasons.
The programs support eligible drivers in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West.
Drivers competing in a Porsche who meet eligibility criteria and are participating in open-competition championships in IMSA and SRO may also realize support from these programs.
Each program focuses on driver development, including performance-based incentives in the form of tires and entry fee support. Seminars during Porsche Carrera Cup North America race weekends cover topics ranging from performance thinking to car setup and communications between drivers and engineers, along with access to Porsche racing legends Richard Westbrook and Patrick Long.
Why Eurocup-3 Could Mark the Start of the Next Single-Seater Revolution
Eurocup-3’s predicted expansion as it switches to the Dallara 326 chassis for 2026 promises to revive the spirit of series that sired a generation of F1 stars. “Eurocup-3 has not commanded much attention on UK shores, but it has been a success story of the past three years, using a modified version of the same Tatuus chassis found in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA).”
Read more about the series at Autosport here.
Is Racing More About Talent or Training?
We’ve all seen it: a driver pulling off a lap so close to perfection it looks effortless. Instinctively, we say: “That’s talent.” But hold on. Was it really just talent? Or was it the thousands of laps, the countless debriefs, and the hours of learning from mistakes? The eternal debate begins: talent vs. training and Winfield Racing School looks to answer the question here.
A Legacy of Champions: The Winfield Story
If you are wondering why the Winfield Racing School; is as respected as it is, check out this history of the school and the incredible graduates it has produced.
F4 Training Camp Europe
In my final bit of Winfield Racing School-related posts, the school has announced that the F4 Training Camp Europe is back in 2026 and they’re heading to the circuit with brand-new dates.
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
Young drivers from 15+, coming from karting or sim racing.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀:
To give you a real first step into Formula 4: driving, learning, and preparing like a pro.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼:
• F4 sessions on track
• Simulator coaching
• Data & onboard video analysis
• Physical & mental training
• Technical & racecraft workshops
25-26-27 February & 22-23-24 June
Circuit Paul Ricard | 1.8km track
Full details can be found at: https://winfieldracingschool.com/produit/f4-training-camp/
Extreme H Cites Shrinking Gender Gap in Driver Performances
Extreme H has released findings from a study of driver lap times at its inaugural FIA World Cup event which shows that the average time gap between male and female drivers was just 0.36s.
“Through Extreme E and now Extreme H, we’ve built an environment where the world’s best female drivers compete equally with the world’s best full stop, names like FIA world champions Sebastien Loeb, Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Jenson Button, Johan Kristoffersson and Timmy Hansen. The results speak for themselves: when opportunity is equal, performance follows. That’s the change we set out to prove.”
Karting
RGMMC, K1 Team Up to Create ‘Champions of the Future America’
RGMMC Group, a global leader in international karting promotion and the organization behind the highly acclaimed ‘Champions of the Future’ series, has announced a landmark partnership with K1 to launch Champions of the Future America, a new initiative designed to elevate the next generation of American motorsport talent and create new pathways through the sport. RACER has full details here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
McLAREN Racing Make Three Additions to its Driver Development Program
McLaren Racing has announced that 2025 FIA Formula 2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli, 2019 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup winner Richard Verschoor and 2025 FIA Karting European Champion Christian Costoya have joined the McLaren Driver Development Program.
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
Motorsport Budgets
Motorsport budgets are just one of the things covered in last week’s Business of Being a Race Driver. I also have advice on getting a contract, sponsorship inspiration from the Lionesses and much more!
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Sim Racer Wins Skip Barber Race Series Title
Sim racer Ivan Machado Perez has won the 2025 Skip Barber Race Series Championship, and it all started with sim racing. You will learn how in last week’s edition of the Sim Racing Roundup. I also have tech reviews, how to go faster and more!
Driver Journeys
Why Cota Forwent His Eurocup-3 Promotion for a Third Spanish F4 Season
Back in March, Juan Cota made a last-minute decision to embark on a third Spanish F4 season with MP Motorsport after previously being set to compete in Eurocup-3 with Drivex. Feeder Series caught up with the Spanish driver to learn more about the decision and hear how things have panned out so far for him this year.
Bianca Bustamante – Year in Review
Fresh out of her maiden season in GB3, 2025 has been Bianca Bustamante’s most challenging year to date. But with those difficulties have come moments of resilience, growth and a renewed desire to succeed. The Paddock Chronicle got the chance to talk with Bianca about the complexities of this year and take a look back at her story so far.
F4 CEZ Champion Trappa: Going to Europe From South America ‘a Great Decision’
Following his 2024 campaign in Brazilian Formula 4, Gino Trappa upped the stakes for 2025, heading to Europe for a double program in Spanish F4 and F4 CEZ and ultimately becoming the champion in the latter. Feeder Series caught up with the Argentine driver last month at the Macau Grand Prix to talk about his journey to the title and what he hopes to achieve from here.
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.
