The path to NASCAR is just one of the topics covered in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. You will also find out about the new driver development handbook released by F1 Academy, the upcoming Racing Women’s 4-day training camps and the key to successfully switching F3 teams. All this and much more!
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
To become a NASCAR professional in 2025, Speedway Digest explains how aspiring drivers must develop advanced racing skills, deep mechanical knowledge, and exceptional physical fitness to handle the intense demands of the sport. The journey involves honing driving abilities specific to racecars, understanding vehicle mechanics, building quick reflexes, and mastering split-second decision-making. Key steps include developing basic racing skills, joining a racing club for guidance, acquiring a race-ready vehicle and equipment, obtaining a specialized track license, rigorous ongoing training, and securing sponsorship to support the financial demands of the sport. Ultimately, a successful NASCAR career requires both daring and discipline, blending speed with control and calculated risk. For the full article, visit Speedway Digest.
“Before They Sit in the Cockpit: A Girl’s Journey to the Driver’s Seat” by Maya Czarzasty-Zybert explores the unique challenges and empowering moments women face on their path to becoming racing drivers. The article highlights how motorsport often seems reserved for men, but emphasizes that cars and racetracks don’t care about gender—what matters is courage and determination. Through communities like Racing Women, aspiring female drivers of any age can find support, coaching, and inspiration to start their journey, whether through karting, track days, or sim racing. The piece encourages women not to wait for permission or an invitation, but to take the first step themselves, showing that motorsport thrives on diversity and the stories of those bold enough to press the accelerator. Read the full article at racingw.com.
Applications are still open for Racing Women’s upcoming 4-day training camp. Whether you’ve driven on track before or are starting from scratch, this is where you build real confidence and race skills — alongside other women on the same journey.
Here’s what’s included:
- 3 nights’ accommodation
- Professional driving instruction (on and off track)
- Karting plus rear-wheel and front-wheel car training at Daytona & Donington
- Sim sessions and data review at Silverstone
- Media and sponsorship coaching
- Physical and mental preparation workshops
- Fitness coaching sessions
- Exclusive Racing Women community networking
Locations: Silverstone / Daytona / Donington
Dates: 17–20 August 2025
Accommodation: 3 nights included
Register your interest now at this link https://www.racingw.com/event-details/2025-summer-training-camp to secure a provisional spot—availability will be confirmed within a few days. Download the full 4-day itinerary here.
The article “FIA Formula 3 Championship: The Crucible for Future F1 Stars” from Motorsport UK highlights how the FIA Formula 3 Championship serves as a vital stepping stone for young drivers aspiring to reach Formula 1. It explains that Formula 3 provides a competitive environment where emerging talent can develop their racing skills, gain international experience, and showcase their abilities to top teams. The championship is positioned as an essential part of the single-seater pathway, helping drivers progress through the ranks with the ultimate goal of earning a place on the Formula 1 grid. To read the full article, visit motorsportuk.org.
The article “The Keys to Success for F3 Drivers Switching Teams” from Feeder Series discusses the critical factors that influence a Formula 3 driver’s ability to adapt and thrive after changing teams. It highlights the importance of quickly building strong relationships with new engineers and mechanics, adapting to different team cultures and working methods, and learning to extract the most from unfamiliar car setups. The piece also emphasizes that mental resilience, open communication, and a willingness to learn are essential for drivers aiming to maintain or improve their performance during such transitions. For the complete article, visit feederseries.net.
“FIA Motorsport in a Box Expands Grassroots Participation in Seychelles” details how the Seychelles Karting Association (SKA) has launched new Autocourse and Kart Slalom events using the FIA’s “Motorsport in a Box” toolkit. This initiative aims to make motorsport more accessible and inclusive by providing resources and support for grassroots development, allowing more people—especially youth and newcomers—to participate in motorsport activities. The program represents a significant step forward in expanding operational capacity and fostering a diverse motorsport community in Seychelles. Read the full article at fia.com.
Jessica Hawkins, a racer and ambassador for both Elemis and the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, shares how much motorsport has changed for women since she started over 20 years ago. Back then, she could count the number of women in the paddock on one hand, but now there are so many more—drivers, mechanics, engineers, and managers. Even with this progress, Jessica believes motorsport still needs to become even more welcoming and inclusive for women. She’s passionate about showing that there’s a place for everyone in racing, and her journey is proof that with determination and support, women can break barriers and thrive in this high-speed world. For her full story, check out the article at wwd.com.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
F1 Academy just launched a super helpful Driver Development Guide, and honestly, it’s a game-changer for anyone—especially girls—who dream of getting into racing but aren’t sure where to start. The guide is totally free and packed with advice on everything from nutrition and training to planning your racing career, plus there are interactive online workshops where you can actually chat with pros and get real tips. Susie Wolff, who runs F1 Academy, says it best: the sport needs more girls racing so the best talent can shine. If you’ve ever thought about motorsport, this is your sign to check it out and take that first step! You can read the full article and grab the guide at f1academy.com.
The article from GPblog shares some exciting news for young racing talents: another Formula 1 team is planning to launch its own junior academy. This move by Haas F1 means even more opportunities for up-and-coming drivers to get noticed, receive support, and work their way up through the ranks toward F1. With more teams investing in junior programs, the path to the top is opening up for a wider range of aspiring racers, making the dream of reaching Formula 1 feel a little more possible for everyone. You can read the full article at gpblog.com.
Skip Barber Racing School and Margay Racing have announced the renewal of their partnership agreement for the 2025 Ignite Karting season. The partnership will allow Skip Barber and Margay to continue providing valuable training opportunities for karters.
“Partnering with Margay Racing to train the next generation of champions was a great experience last season and we’re thrilled to continue those collaborative efforts for the 2025 season,” Skip Barber Racing School Chief Marketing Officer Dan DeMonte said. “Ensuring that future champions of our sport have an opportunity to excel is at the core of our relationship with Margay and I can’t wait to see who earns a seat in a Skip Barber Racing School program this year.”
From the Sim Racing Roundup
How Prema Racing prepares their drivers for the track using simulators is just one of the things you will learn in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. You will also find out how BMW Motorsport put their sim racers through their paces in an alpine bootcamp, find out how iRacing helped create the layout for NASCAR’s Chicago street race and so much more!
Driver Development Pathways
The article “Inside MX-5 Cup: Ethan Goulart makes a name for himself in the rain,” we get a look at how Ethan Goulart managed to stand out during a tricky, rain-soaked race in the Mazda MX-5 Cup. Despite tough conditions and plenty of competition, Goulart kept his cool, showed off some impressive driving skills, and proved he’s someone to watch in the series. His performance in the wet not only earned him respect from fellow racers but also helped build his reputation as a rising talent. You can read the full story at racer.com.
In “How Sabré Cook Built Her Racing Career One Opportunity at a Time,” we get a personal look at how Sabré Cook’s journey in motorsport has been all about grabbing every chance that came her way and working hard to make the most of it. Starting out in karting at a young age, Sabré steadily moved up through the ranks, facing challenges and breaking barriers as a woman in a male-dominated sport. Her story is about persistence, learning from setbacks, and never letting the fear of failure stop her from chasing her dreams. If you want to read more about Sabré’s inspiring path and how she’s paving the way for others, check out the full article at womensmotorsportsnetwork.com.
“From the Kitchen to the Cockpit: Carolyn Fitzgerald’s Formula 4 Journey,” follows Carolyn’s unique path from working in a restaurant kitchen to chasing her dreams on the racetrack. Starting with indoor karting, Carolyn quickly moved up through racing school and licensing, eventually competing in the Formula 4 West Coast Pro Series. She talks openly about the challenges she’s faced, how she balances her culinary career with racing, and her hopes of one day getting paid to race or even building her own karting team. Carolyn’s story is all about passion, perseverance, and proving that you can carve your own way in motorsport, no matter where you start. You can read the full article at womensmotorsportsnetwork.com and also check out a related podcast episode at podcasts.apple.com.
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.
