PT Autosport Aspiring Driver Shootout applications are now open, and you get the details in this issue of the Driver Development Roundup. I also have the latest news on Porsche Motorsport North America’s Porsche Selected Driver Program drivers, why nobody owes you anything and much more!
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
As you pursue your motorsport dreams, Enzo Mucci reminds you in the video above that “nobody owes you anything.”
The success of almost every race driver is down tho their skill, work ethic and the team of advisors that helps guide them. Part of F1 driver Oscar Piastri’s team of advisors is former F1 driver Mark Webber. Autosport‘s Ben Hunt looks at how Webber’s influence is key to Piastri impressing Max Verstappen.
“I think with Mark by his side, he’s helping him a lot. It’s great. People learn from their own careers – that’s what I had with my dad, and Mark is advising Oscar.”
The race car legend Shea Holbrook opens up to Woman’s World about her docuseries, motherhood and pushing boundaries.
“There’s a lot of parallels that people wouldn’t recognize from the outside looking in, but race car drivers, especially aspiring professional race car drivers, have to learn to be business minded and an entrepreneur from the very beginning of your career to have success early on, because it takes business sense to be successful. So the parallels of pivoting into the professional team side of it was a natural progression for me,” she said. “And the fact that we’ve had this all highlighted in a docu-series is really captivating.”
Reema Juffali broke new ground when she earned her racing license just months before the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia was lifted – she is still passionate about developing more talent, as is Qiddiya, which is constructing a new global centre for motorsport, including the much-acclaimed SpeedPark race track. She explains what has changed in an article in Autosport.
“I look at this as a blank canvas”, Reema Juffali says when she discusses not only helping to bring through the next generation of Saudi women racers but increasing motorsports participation in the region as a whole.
Katherine Legge pushes back against disturbing comments and “death threats” as she has spoken out about exactly what went down at Rockingham and how she is dealing with the vitriol on social media.
“However, I will say that the hate mail, death threats, and the inappropriate sexual comments I’ve received aren’t just disturbing, they are unacceptable. Let me very clear, I’m here to race and I’m here to compete and I won’t tolerate any of these threats to my safety or to my dignity. Whether that’s on track or off of it.”
The French F4 series has announced for this season the launch of a women’s category for the six female drivers engaged in the series. The class will have separate standings, and the top three drivers in the category after each race will receive trophies. These six drivers will also be included in the overall standings.
The 2025 Toyo Tires F1600 Series has announced that Radical Canada will be a prize sponsor for the series this year. This seasons series Champion will earn a Radical SR3 test day which will be an excellent opportunity to get behind the wheel of a prototype racecar.
Red Bull’s driver advisor Helmut Marko tipped four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel as his preferred candidate to replace him when he retires. But what would Seb bring to the role asks Stuart Codling of Autosport.
Marko is among those eager to fill it, having told Sky Germany last week that Vettel “would be the ideal successor candidate” when he retires. “I think Sebastian has found himself now,” he said. “He knows what he wants to do in the future and that is first and foremost motor racing.”
British Pakistani racer Enaam Ahmed, a former British Formula 3 champion with various racing titles under his belt, said recently that he aims to bridge the gap in motorsport between Muslim countries and Europe by training young drivers from the Middle East.
“At the moment, the GCC and the Muslim world are quite behind in racing compared to Europe,” Ahmed told Arab News over the phone. “I want to try and help bring it up to the same level, which will happen very quickly.”
In a roaring statement that shook the very core of NASCAR, legendary racer Ron Hornaday Jr. unleashed a torrent of emotions, criticizing the lack of respect among young truck drivers in the sport. In a sport known for its gritty and hard-nosed nature, Hornaday stands out as a beacon of old-school values and blue-collar work ethic. You can read what he had to say here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
Porsche Motorsport North America has revealed the 2025 class for its prestigious Selected Driver program, naming Loek Hartog (Netherlands), Riley Dickinson (USA), and Tom Sargent (Australia) as this year’s rising stars. The Porsche Selected Driver program is a key step in the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America, which is designed to elevate emerging professionals by providing direct manufacturer support, expanded race opportunities, and mentorship across GT and endurance racing platforms.
“All three drivers came to our attention through their Carrera Cup performances and have again impressed as they have made the next step up the Porsche development pyramid in SRO and IMSA competition,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “Our Selected Driver program is designed to support their continued development as they take on more prominent roles within the Porsche GT racing ecosystem. We’re thrilled to support Loek, Riley, and Tom with their 2025 programs and excited to see their careers develop as part of the Porsche family.”
Porsche Motorsport North America will also continue to pave the way for emerging motorsport talent through a comprehensive expansion of the Porsche EBOOST Junior Program in 2025.
The initiative, part of Porsche’s global Motorsport Development Pyramid, offers aspiring drivers professional development opportunities, from grassroots levels to the international stage.
The program supports racers starting in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, and continues its support in Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
BMW South Africa has made it a mission to contribute towards transformation in local motorsport with an initiative allowing young talent to come through the ranks with official assistance. During the National Extreme Festival at Kyalami in April, a trio of young drivers were handed the keys to race-prepared E46 BMWs to prove their mettle in the BMW M Performance Parts Race Series. Read more about the program here.
Introducing the Almeida Motorsports Program. This program is for drivers who invest time, money, and energy into becoming better every lap. It’s built to eliminate the trial-and-error that leads to frustration, inconsistency—or worse, expensive mistakes.
Whether you’re preparing for your next race weekend or simply want to drive at your best, this is the system I use with private clients and championship-level drivers around the world.
The program is now live and more information can be found here.
Applications are now open for the 2025 PT Autosport Aspiring Drivers Shootout. On Nov.3-5, as many as eight racing hopefuls will gather at New Jersey Motorsports Park to compete in the fourth annual PT Autosport Aspiring Driver Shootout, with the winner earning a multi-year racing partnership valued at up to $250,000 ($50,000 guaranteed). “We’re looking for passionate, determined talent ready to chase their dreams and compete to take the next step in their racing careers.”
888 initial application spots are available, with 88 drivers chosen to proceed to round two. From those 88, up to eight drivers between the age of 18 and 23 will be chosen to compete at NJMP. The aspiring drivers will participate in a tough competition measuring a wide range of skills, including fitness, media, problem-solving, teamwork, and of course, driving. The winner will take the top prize, and awards will also go to the second and third place finishers.
One spot for the finals has been already secured. German-born Luis Beilicke won the six-round PT Autosport eSeries, earning him the nod into the finals. The 21-year-old former karter has earned a reputation in the sim racing world, competing with the internationally recognized Apex Racing Team.
The application window is open from now until May 31st. Shootout application link: drivershootout.com
Sim Motorsport runs a comprehensive, 5 module Race School that provides the very best professional training and coaching in the key elements needed to be successful.
“It is well known that simulation training prior to a race weekend is now more important than ever and the ability to be able to test and prepare is invaluable to todays top racing drivers. The Race School has been created to provide aspiring racing drivers from all age ranges, 14yrs – 70yrs old, with the necessary skills to learn how to be the very best at being prepared both mentally and physically, as well as good at reading telemetry and applying what they learn to become better drivers.”
More information on the school can be found here.
McLaren is looking for the next “superstar” through its refined driver development program according to McLaren Motorsport sporting director Rob Bell. The British manufacturer, which has expanded its reach in sports car racing with the recent launch of McLaren Trophy America, has established four steps on its GT racing ladder system.
“Ultimately we’re growing,” he told Sportscar365. “We’re ambitious and when you are growing and ambitious, you need racing drivers. That’s fundamental.
In a world where every split second counts and focus, resilience, and intuition shape victory, motorsport seems reserved for the “mentally strongest.” But what if neurodiverse individuals—those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or Tourette’s—carry within them a unique combination of traits that make them outstanding drivers? Their brains process the world differently—not better, not worse—just differently. The key to unlocking their full potential lies not only in raw talent but in the right kind of support. That support often begins with a coach or mentor. Maja Czarzasty-Zybert explains here.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Always curious about Ryan Hunter-Reay and his sim rig? I have you covered in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. In addition to that I have a few more drivers that have moved from sim racing to real-world motorsport, whether AI can enhance your skills as a sim racer and an excellent sim training webinar you can attend.
Driver Development Pathways
After each race of the Ligier European Series, Romain Boeckler, Junior Champion of the Ligier JS Cup France 2024, shares his experience in the Ligier European Series. This diary is based on his feedback and impressions. You can read the first installment here.
Jeddah-born racer Farah AlYousef was the wildcard entry for the second round of the 2025 female-only F1 Academy series. It has been a rapid rise for AlYousef, but a long road for Saudi women as a whole. Autosport has the details.
Vinnie Meskelis, a mechanical engineering freshman and a member of the Dallas Formula Racing team at UT Dallas, was one of three winners at the Mazda Motorsports 2024 Spec MX-5 Shootout. He received a $50,000 scholarship, professional coaching and support to participate on the Mazda Factory Club Race Team. This is how he got there.
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.
