What to do if you suspect that your teammate has better equipment than you is just one of the topics covered in this week’s Driver Development Roundup. I also have news on the FG Series’ partnership with the DTM to make racing more affordable, how older stock cars make great race cars for driver development and the inspirational stories of two drivers that didn’t let major health issues prevent them from racing. All this and much more in the latest edition of the Driver Development Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.
Have you ever suspected that your team-mate might have a slightly better engine or chassis than you? In the latest video from Safe Is Fast (see above), their guest editor – former Formula 1 driver and two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner Alex Wurz – and their professional drivers (Alexander Rossi, Scott Dixon, Paul di Resta, Felipe Nasr and Scott McLaughlin) help you identify the signs of having unequal machinery and what to do about it.
The new FG Series will work closely with the DTM through an exciting new collaboration that will support the next generation of motorsport.
The goal of the cooperation is to promote the development of motorsport in a sustainable and forward-thinking manner, and to offer talented young drivers comprehensive support throughout the process.
FG Series, of which former Formula 1 and Formula E driver Nick Heidfeld is a co-founder, has set itself the task of reducing the financial obstacles standing in the way of those wishing to get involved in motorsport, and to make the sport more accessible and raise its profile around the world.
The groundbreaking concept, which includes using one car for two championships (FG1 and FG2) forms a bridge between karting and professional racing series. The dual power concept, which includes two different performance levels, and two different drive types (rear and four-wheel drive) allows FG Series to offer drivers comprehensive training for all the challenges they may face in the world of motorsport.
FG Series and DTM launch innovative collaboration to support the next generation of motorsport
Lamborghini has revealed its lineup of Super Trofeo and GT3 junior drivers that have been chosen to take part in a season-long assessment program with a chance to compete in a shootout for manufacturer backing at the end of the year.
A total of 37 drivers (28 from Super Trofeo, nine from GT3) have been selected and will be monitored and assessed with specific evaluations on performance (single lap pace and average speed), progression, consistency over the course of a weekend, experience, professionalism, technical feedback and attitude both at and away from the circuit. Read more at Sportscar365.
They star for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, but Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet both got their big breaks in the sport through Porsche Carrera Cup in Germany and France. Find out how they progressed from this vital career step in the video above.
In her article on The Power of High Expectations, Julia Landauer of Shift Up Now explains the importance of working collaboratively in a team with male allies. “These are men who recognize differences in how women are treated, and proactively work towards creating an equitable and equal environment for everyone.” Read more at Shift Up Now.
Motorsport UK explains how UK youth are the key to continuing the illustrious history of UK drivers in excelling in motorsport.
David Richards CBE, Motorsport UK’s Chair and 1981 World Rally Champion said, “Motorsport is one of the country’s ‘special sectors’ that puts it alongside music, theatre, film or the gaming industry as areas where the UK is universally acknowledged as a world leader. But despite the fact that we’ve produced 66% more Formula 1 world champions than any other country and arguably we breed the best motor racing teams and engineers, we cannot afford to be complacent. And the engine room of our sport is the depth of active participation in all forms of competition that take place every weekend up and down the country.” Read more at National Motorsport Week.
In PRI‘s article Stockcar Revival, they explain how retired NASCAR stock cars are recycled to race in feeder and historic series that are excellent for driver development.
Despite relatively brief service lives in Cup racing, many older cars have gone on to find long-term homes in other series. Today, the ARCA series is one of the most popular options for those looking to get a fourth- or fifth-generation Cup car back on the track. “Some of these series are specifically used for driver development now,” Gann said. “It gives young drivers the ability to get up to speed and climb the ladder to get to the Cup series. Today, ARCA is the first step in that process.”
Read more on the PRI website.
The Checkered Flag explains how Dakar alumnus Joey Evans is set to run the Baja 1000 with assistance from the Adaptive Sports Fund.
In 2007, while competing in an off-road race in his home country of South Africa, Evans suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury when fell off his bike at the start and was run over by the rush of fellow competitors. The accident resulted in paralysis from the chest down and initial fears he would never be able to walk again. Despite the odds, he was riding again shortly after the turn of the decade.
With two major rallies out of the way, he now intends to tackle Baja for the first time, riding in the Pro Moto Ironman category for solo riders. The effort will be in partnership with the Adaptive Sports Fund, a nonprofit focused on helping those with disabilities participate in sport; Evans will put the names of donors to his Baja 1000 fundraiser on his bike, though proceeds will go towards the ASF while Evans pays for racing expenses himself. Read more at The Checkered Flag here.
The video above from NASA is a Q&A with special guest Matt Million, an alumni of NASA’s Teen Mazda Challenge. Matt highlights some of his experiences from racing karts from age 5, to competing in Spec Miata and now in Pirelli GT4 with Team AutoTechnic.
FIA Girls on Track reached double the participation of Season 9 at the London finale of the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The all-electric series is set to top more than 2,000 participants in its season-long campaign, surpassing Season 9’s total of 1,080.
Focusing on engaging with young women from within host cities and their diverse communities, the program provides an immersive educational experience with workshops at track along with offsite talks in schools and universities. Read more at the Formula E website.
Autosport explains how former F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen didn’t let open-heart surgery get in the way of his burgeoning rallying career.
“The first motivation was just to be able to return to a sort of normal lifestyle. But then I have to admit that being able to return to rallying or even to a race car one day was also at the back of my mind. It would have been quite a big decision not to be able to race or drive rallying anymore. I still feel that I have the passion and the motivation, especially for rallying now. I have the passion to continue, perhaps not in the WRC or the very top of the world level, but still, you want to continue driving. These were the driving forces.”
Read more at Autosport.
FIA Formula 3 driver Sophia Floersch and F1 Academy driver Chloe Chambers have taken part in a Formula 2 and Formula 3 test, respectively, at Silverstone on July 12-13, to help define the set-up regulations of both the F2 and F3 cars in order to accommodate a wide range of drivers and make both championships as accessible as possible. This two-day program focused on a complete screening of all suspension set-up configurations used across the season in order to remain below the steering effort level defined by the FIA.
Sophia Floersch said: “The purpose of the test was for Chloe and me to try out the Formula 3 and Formula 2 cars respectively, in terms of the steering effort because the FIA and Formula 1 Group want to make both championships more accessible to a wide range of drivers.”
Chloe Chambers said: “The purpose of the test was to get a feeling for the car and give my feedback on the handling, the steering weight, the balance, and other things that can be improved for the next generation. This is an important process to make our sport more accessible for everyone on the ladder to Formula 1. Of course this is only the beginning, but I think the test is a positive step and that we can make a big difference. I did a lot of laps in different conditions and on different tyres, so I am hopeful that my feedback and data will be helpful to make the cars as accessible as possible.”
Read more on the Formula 2 website.
Journie, the sponsor of the No. 4 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda driven by Kyffin Simpson, has launched a new venture with the Journie Driving Academy in Canada to focus on identifying and developing homegrown talent at the karting level.
The formation of the academy by the Canadian gas station and convenience store chain owned by the Parkland Corporation includes oversight and guidance from the Ganassi team, led by Simpson’s race strategist and karting industry veteran Chris Wheeler, along with financial assistance from Journie to continue competing in karts. Read more at Racer.
Red Bull Racing’s Helmut Marko believes that under-performing F1 drivers are stalling the promotion of young talent. “The teams are also afraid of juniors. Of course, they make mistakes, but I’d rather someone makes mistakes and is a hope for the future than there is no more improvement.” Read more at Formula Nerds.
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.
