The value of compassion to a young athlete is just one of the things covered in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. Always remember that young drivers are just that, young and your compassion can have an exponential influence on their development.
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
During the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago, 20 year-old rookie Isack Hadjar crashed out of the race on the warm-up lap in rainy conditions. Clearly distraught, Anthony Hamilton, Lewis’ father, comforted him after he got out of the car. Despite Helmut Marko, and even Hadjar himself calling the situation “embarrassing”, it is essential to understand something that is critical when dealing with young athletes.
While in many cases, even like this where they are professionals, let’s not forget that they are human beings as well and in the case of rookies, young human beings. A little bit of compassion, whether by the athlete’s parents, teammates or those in that athlete’s support system goes a long way mentally for an athlete that has made a mistake. Your compassion and support could be the difference between that athlete continuing to work hard, learn from their mistake and then put the incident behind them, or losing the athlete from the sport altogether.
Tears are not a sign of weakness; rather, they reflect a deep passion for one’s pursuits and a profound feeling of disappointment in oneself and their teammates. Prioritizing compassion is essential, with discussions about specifics coming afterward. This approach can truly make a significant impact.
Red Bull Racing’s team principal, Christian Horner, said it was “heart-wrenching to see (Hadjar) so gutted” after his mistake. “You forget that these guys are just kids, really,” Horner said. “Obviously a lot of emotion for him today, but I think when he strips it back, there are an awful lot of positives he can take out of the weekend. He’s got many bright days ahead of him.”
On episode 216 of Inside the SCCA presented by RaceSchool.com, they take a look at what it takes to make driving race cars a career. “Cameron Parsons is my guest and we talk about the ups and downs of being a professional race car driver. It sounds romantic but there are remarkably few people who make their living exclusively behind the wheel. Most have side hustles, coach other drivers, and find other ways to make ends meet. Cameron has managed to keep himself behind the wheel, run his own teams, and work in the industry that keeps him in contact with people that can write checks. It’s an eye opening, don’t miss discussion.” You can watch the episode above.
An interesting decision from the Court of Justice of the European Union on the Unfair Contracts Directive and junior training contracts that could have implications for young race drivers who sign contracts with investors at a young age, as well as academy drivers and their sponsors.
A contractual term obliging a young sportsman to transfer part of his income if he becomes a professional athlete may be unfair. The national court must assess the unfairness of such a term by taking into account, in particular, whether or not that term is plain and intelligible as regards the financial consequences of the commitment.
You can read the Judgment of the Court in Case C-365/23 here. As always, please consult a legal professional before signing any contract.
The drive for diversity in motorsport has shifted gears in recent years, but it is no secret that there is still work to do. Pioneering women remain committed to addressing the gender imbalance in the sport, and Abbie Eaton from Hull, the first female Carrera Cup GB race winner, is one such trailblazer. Read about here journey in this profile on the Porsche Motorsport website.
FEL Motorsports is in the process of announcing a new diversity program and as part of this, it is supporting Valérie Limoges and Megan Leah in the Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin for 2025.
The new diversity program has been developed by FEL Motorsports in collaboration with Michelin Motorsport and other key industry partners, who will be announced in the coming weeks. This initiative is designed to foster inclusion and provide high-level racing opportunities for diverse drivers and crew members in Canadian motorsports.
Paddock Sorority has a great feature on Francesca Gasperi, a race driver who advises everybody to never stop dreaming.
“Francesca Gasperi is an Italian co-driver participating in the 2025 Dakar Rally as a rookie. But this is over simplifying her story. She is a photographer chasing dust clouds, a journalist turned competitor, and a woman who refused to let the pandemic or closed doors extinguish her rally-raid ambitions. Through the dunes, financial hurdles, and the heartache of deferred dreams, Francesca’s mantra-never stop dreaming-propelled her from the sidelines to the Dakar’s starting podium. We had the opportunity to catch up with Francesca after the Dakar, here is her tale of how a restless spirit turned every “no” into fuel, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures begin when you dare to shift gears.”
Read the full feature here.
The only rival you have is the person you were yesterday.
After completing his first laps around Sebring International Raceway in a specially adapted Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and in between a more rigorous second day of testing at the circuit, Robert Wickens reflected on his first experiences as the countdown to his much-anticipated IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship return with DXDT Racing on the Long Beach street circuit.
“Frankly, for me, I wanted to get into the car as soon as possible. If there was a way to have driven the car in (Petit Le Mans) last year, I would have been all over it. The same for Daytona and the same for last weekend in Sebring,” he said. “I think in the moment, I was frustrated. But obviously, I respect that you can’t rush something like this. It has to be done properly because also this is the product that I have to now use for the entire 2025 season. If you don’t have a strong foundation, you can just set yourself up for failure.”
Read more about Wickens’ preparation for 2025 at RACER here.
F1 ACADEMY has announced that >= More than Equal, a data-driven high-performance program focused on identifying and developing female racing talent, will become the Official Driver Performance & Research Partner of F1 ACADEMY.
As an Official Partner, >= More than Equal will provide expert, research-driven, insights that will help to develop the physical and mental performance of female drivers in F1 ACADEMY and senior karting categories. The partnership will also provide expert trackside support, including the provision by >= More than Equal of a dedicated physiotherapist for F1 ACADEMY participants throughout the season.
Read more about the partnership here.
With an unparalleled legacy of over 75 years of racing knowledge, spirit and passion, Lotus’ motorsport activities and initiatives are now part of one global ‘Team Lotus’. Bringing together factory-supported programs, partner racing teams, Lotus Cup championships, driver development and race fans. A revived focus on togetherness that drives our passion for performance, enables our shared ambitions and supports our racing communities and drivers around the World.
Gavan Kershaw, Director, Head of Motorsports at Lotus Cars, said: “Motorsport has been in Lotus’ DNA from day one, and we have hundreds of Lotus’ that compete every weekend in all forms of classic, national and international races. Team Lotus unites that passion across every level. Whether it’s GT, endurance, or grassroots competition, we’re committed to supporting teams and drivers who share our love for racing.”
You can read more here.
Last week marked the passing of Eddie Jordan, motorsport icon and Team Principal of both Eddie Jordan Racing and Jordan Grand Prix. What was so impressive was Jordan’s support of developing motorsport talent with names such as Damon Hill, Jean Alesi and a certain Michael Schumacher owing their thanks to Jordan helping them in their careers. Feeder Series has a great look at the life and motorsport career of Eddie Jordan here.
US Open Wheel Nation reviews the new documentary on the USF Pro Championships DRIVEN: Chasing the Apex.”
“Only two segments into the first episode, it’s clear to see that if the goal of the series is to sell the product the USF Pro Championships is putting on as one of the top open-wheel development ladders in the world, it is doing a fantastic job.”
Read their review here. You can watch Episode 2 above. I posted Episode 1 in last week’s column.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
Jamsport Racing in the UK is offering you the opportunity to win a fully-funded season in the 2025 MINI CHALLENGE JCW SPORT Championship behind the wheel of one of our race cars – a prize worth over £100,000!
“We are on the hunt for a racing driver who has what it takes to make a name for themselves in the motorsport world. The aspiring driver who wins will receive a full season competing in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Sport Class with our team.”
The program is first come, first served so get your information here.
The Shannonville Racing Academy provides aspiring racers and enthusiasts with an opportunity to explore their inner racer and learn about the fundamentals of racing in a professional environment.
This three-day program, April 17 to 19, 2025, includes comprehensive classroom sessions and plenty of on-track exercises. Instruction includes proper seating position, threshold braking, incident avoidance, throttle control, race craft and mental preparedness. Common race rules and regulations will be explained and followed-up with a written examination. With a high instructor to student ratio, you can be sure that you will receive personal coaching throughout the program. Get more details on the program here.
The Skip Barber Racing School and Bobby Krug Racing Services are proud to unveil a new partnership that will provide opportunities for drivers within the Bobby Krug Racing Services development program. Skip Barber Racing School programs will be awarded to promising drivers to assist in advancing their racing careers with Skip Barber Racing School’s training that has turned drivers into champions for 50 years.
“We are excited to form a partnership with my second family at Skip Barber Racing School,” said Bobby Krug, owner of BKRS. “My racing journey has been very well documented, and a huge part of my success was the teaching and experience I gained at the Skip Barber Racing School, their portfolio of racing schools and their Skip Barber Race Series. It’s an incredible opportunity to pass the torch to the next generation of racers.”
Recipients will have the opportunity to attend a Skip Barber Racing School program and join a prestigious group of alumni, which includes two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano, and Formula 1 Grand Prix winner Sergio Perez.
You can get more details here.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
How F1 drivers use a sim to prepare for a new track is one of the topics covered in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also link to an article on the power of mental imagery and simulators, show how a university sim racing club is introducing students to motorsport and give details on your chance to win a place on a pro esports team.
Driver Development Pathways
Hazel Southwell of The Drive profiles Saudi driver Reema Juffali on being Saudi Arabia’s first pro woman driver, how she got there and what lies ahead.
“I think it’s right place, right time,” Juffali demurred about what’s a pretty extraordinary pathway. “I was living abroad, working abroad and opportunities brought me back to Saudi. That was in 2017, when they announced that women will be driving the following year and obviously, that was news I knew was coming, I just didn’t know when it was going to happen, so [I was] ecstatic, of course, it was gonna be a new chapter for us. Not just behind the wheel, but it opens many doors as well. And that point is, again, I think the right place, right time, and you could say all of these things.”
Read the complete profile here.
14-year-old identical twin brothers Cash and Roman Felber from Cleveland explain what it takes to compete in Formula 4. Their journey into racing began at the age of eight, maneuvering Segway Karts in their driveway. However, after attending the Austin Grand Prix in 2022, their aspirations took a definitive turn. Inspired by the event, both brothers expressed a keen interest in pursuing racing seriously. “We went to the Austin F1 race in 2022 and we both wanted to race, and our dad helped us figure out how we can,” Cash recalls.
Racers Behind the Helmet profiles “Supported by Iron Dames” driver Laura van den Hengel. Building on this mission, Iron Dames has launched the “Supported by Iron Dames” program, designed as a talent incubator to provide resources, visibility, and development opportunities for promising female talents who align with the team’s values.
“Van Den Hengel is not your typical racing driver. Coming from a non-wealthy background, she worked her way up from karting to sports car racing – and shows no signs of stopping.” Read more about how she became part of the program 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.
