Driver development is about far more than where a driver finishes in the championship standings. A driver’s progression can be better understood by looking at factors such as consistency, racecraft, adaptability and improvement over the course of a season—especially when drivers have had very different levels of experience, equipment and opportunity. Read about this and more in this week’s packed Driver Development Roundup.
Overview
Becoming a Professional Race Driver
The Standings Don’t Tell the Whole Story: Who Is Doing More With Less in F2 and F3?
A driver’s position in the championship standings can tell you who scored the most points, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you who is developing the most. “The Standings Don’t Tell the Whole Story” from the Youth & Motorsports STEM Foundation makes the case for looking beyond results when evaluating young drivers, taking into account factors such as progression, consistency, racecraft, adaptability and the quality of opportunities available to them. For driver development, that broader perspective is important: a championship position is an outcome, while the underlying skills and trajectory can reveal much more about a driver’s potential.
Who Does What in a Race Team
Ask a racing family who is responsible for actually making their driver better, and you usually get a pause. The team? The engineer? The coach they hire sometimes? The honest answer, in most junior programmes, is nobody, because the roles around a driver are widely misunderstood, and the most important job falls into the gap between them.
Dan Wells from Drivers Lab explains who actually does what in a race team, and where the gap sits.
Why Independent Race Drivers Need to Ask Questions
Independent race drivers are the backbone of global sports car racing. Traditionally known as “gentleman drivers,” they combine passion, commitment and their own resources to compete on race tracks around the world. Last week on the Motorsport Prospects Podcast, I kicked off a series of interviews with independent race drivers who share what it takes to go racing. If you dream of becoming a race driver or racing as a hobby, their advice and experience can help you understand what it really takes to make it happen.
Last week I was joined by British independent race driver Ed McDermott, who shares practical advice for anyone pursuing racing as a hobby. His most important message? Ask questions. Whether you’re new to motorsport or looking to get more from your racing, learning from the people around you can make a real difference.
You can listen to our conversation here.
Lando Norris on LN4 Fusion, LN4 Legacy, and Building a Pathway for the Next Generation
Lando Norris is the co-founder of LN4 Fusion, a project he has approached with a serious, long-term mindset. Alongside it, he has launched the LN4 Legacy Program, an initiative that operates independently of LN4 Fusion while sharing its core values, creating opportunities for talented young drivers and giving them the support they need to maximize their potential in motorsport.
“It’s about putting people in the right place, with the right people to support them as an individual, with the goal of helping each driver maximise their potential and see how far their talent can take them.”
In this interview he expands on the goals of the program.
Will We See a Female IndyCar Driver in 2028?
With a brand new, redesigned car on the grid and a new era for the sport, will we see a full time female driver in the series for the first time in almost two decades? It’s Race Week! looks at the candidates here.
Masking at 300 Km/h: The Hidden Cost of Fitting In
Race driver development is about far more than improving lap times, technical skills and racecraft. The mental side of performance—and understanding how individual drivers process pressure, feedback and their environment—can be just as important. In this two-part series, Minds on Track examines the hidden cost of “fitting in” in motorsport, particularly for neurodivergent drivers, and asks whether development sometimes focuses too much on conformity rather than understanding. The articles make the case for a more individualised approach to mental performance, one that helps young drivers understand how they function and develop strategies to perform at their best without feeling they must hide who they are.
- Masking at 300 km/h: the hidden cost of fitting in (part 1)
- Masking at 300 km/h: the hidden cost of fitting in (part 2)
Zak O’Sullivan on Moving from Racing in Japan to Formula E
Zak O’Sullivan opens up to Japan Racing Insider on his recently-confirmed move to Formula E with Envision Racing as he prepares to depart Japan. “Another Year in Japan Would’ve Been Ideal, but I Couldn’t Turn Down Formula E.”
If We Want More Women in Motorsport, We Need to Start with Girls
Race driver development starts long before a driver gets behind the wheel. In the article If We Want More Women in Motorsport, We Need to Start with Girls, Mlle Racing examines why increasing women’s participation in motorsport needs to begin by introducing girls to the sport at a young age. From role models and parental influence to initiatives such as Girls on Track and F1 Academy, the article explores how early exposure, mentorship and access to opportunities can help young girls see motorsport as a place where they belong—and potentially build a pathway toward a racing career.
Motorsport UK has Published its New Inclusion Impact Report
Motorsport UK has published its new Inclusion Impact Report, funded throughout by Mission 44, the charitable foundation founded by seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, highlighting the progress being made to help more young people from diverse backgrounds discover motorsport and explore opportunities within the sport and wider STEM industries.
The report evaluates three key initiatives delivered over the past three years: Race for Diversity, Girls on Track Regional Hubs and the Motorsport UK Inclusion Hub.
Together, these programs have reached 38,426 people across the UK, directly supported 4,300 young people and created 212 training and employment opportunities.
The independent evaluation also highlights how participants are progressing beyond their first introduction to motorsport, with young people applying for apprenticeships, university courses, volunteering opportunities and jobs within the industry.
The findings have helped inform Motorsport UK’s new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and our continued work to make motorsport more accessible and inclusive.
Read the full Inclusion Impact Report to explore the findings and learn more about the impact of these programs here: https://atlas-cms.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/motorsport-wordpress/2026/09/Inclusion-Impact-Report-Digital-2.pdf
Motorsport UK has published a three-year impact report on three of its equality, diversity and inclusion programmes, funded throughout by Mission 44 – the charitable foundation founded by seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
Why Eurocup-3 Became a Popular Next Step for GB3’s Biggest Names
Of the 30 drivers who competed in Eurocup-3’s opening round at Le Castellet, seven had switched over from GB3’s 2025 grid. In the Monza paddock last month, Feeder Series spoke to some of them to find out why they moved for 2026.
Motopark to Run SRO GT Academy Car at 24H in 2027
Motopark has been selected to field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in next year’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa for a lineup comprising SRO GT Academy graduates.
SRO Motorsports Group revealed in November last year that a quartet of drivers from its international series would be selected for a fully-funded 24H Spa outing in 2027 with one driver being chosen from each of the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, GTWC Asia and GTWC Australia championships as well as a British GT representative.
It has now been confirmed that single-seater stalwart Motopark will run the car for these drivers, the team having made its debut in the 24H Spa this year.
2027 Lucas Oil Winter Race Series Dates Announced
The 2027 Lucas Oil Formula Car Winter Race Series, consisting of six races at two iconic Florida circuits featuring $115,000 in Lucas prizes has been announced. “Whether you’re preparing for a championship campaign, building your racecraft, or simply looking for serious competition during the winter, there’s no substitute for wheel-to-wheel racing. And we’ve got plenty of it.”
Full details can be found here.
Driver Development Program News & Resources
McLaren Motorsport Hosts Madrid Fitness Camp
McLaren Motorsport held a special two-day training camp in Madrid recently for a total of 38 drivers belonging to the manufacturer’s various driver development schemes.
Those attending the camp at the MSi Bio Performance facility were members of the McLaren Elite Talent Pathway, McLaren Trophy Academy and GT3 Junior initiatives and represented 15 different nationalities.
The drivers participated in various physical activities during the two days with a focus upon strength, endurance, coordination and reaction time.
inside the Academy that Produced Russell, Antonelli and a New Generation
Race driver development is about more than finding the next great driver—it is about building a pathway to help talented drivers reach their potential. This in-depth look at Mercedes’ junior program examines how the team has built a long-term driver-development and succession system that has produced Formula 1 race drivers including George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. It also explores the challenges of managing young talent, providing development opportunities at every stage and creating alternative pathways when a coveted F1 seat is not available.
Feed Racing 2027 Registrations Are Now Open
3 five-day training camps:
- Course 1 — July 12–16, 2027
- Course 2 — July 26–30, 2027
- Course 3 — August 9–13, 2027
Earn your place in the final stages:
- Quarter-finals — August 30, 2027
- Semi-finals — August 31 & September 1, 2027
- Grand Final — Late September / Early October 2027 (date TBC)
And the ultimate prize remains the same: a full season in Formula 4 in the 2027 FFSA French F4 Championship.
Early-bird price until December 31, 2026:
€11,800 excl. VAT / €14,160 incl. VAT
Then €13,000 excl. VAT / €15,600 incl. VAT from January 1, 2027
Open to drivers aged 14 to 20, with no previous official F4 racing experience.
Full details at: https://www.feedracing.fr/en/home/
DL Racing Launches its New Academy: Young Program and Factory Program.
DL Racing has announced their new DL Racing Driver Academy, a project dedicated to discovering, developing and supporting the next generation of motorsport talent.
The Academy is divided into two programs, based on age and experience, and is developed as an independent pathway from the Lamborghini Young Driver Program.
YOUNG PROGRAM — up to 23 years old
A development pathway for emerging young talents, giving them the opportunity to prove themselves on track and grow alongside DL Racing professionals. The prize is a €50,000 racing budget to be invested entirely in the following season with DL Racing.
FACTORY PROGRAM — up to 30 years old
Designed for experienced drivers looking to consolidate their careers and take the next step towards becoming a professional Factory Driver. The prize is a fully funded racing program with DL Racing for the following season.
Two pathways. One concrete opportunity to build a future in motorsport.
Racing Women Discovery Talent Program
For drivers at the beginning of their journey, knowing how to approach sponsors, what companies are actually looking for and how to turn an introduction into a meaningful partnership can be difficult to navigate alone. That’s why sponsorship and commercial development form an important part of the Racing Women Discovery Program.
“Across the six-month online program, we’ll look at the questions new drivers regularly face: from building a racing pathway and understanding funding to sponsorship, personal branding, fitness, mental performance and making the right next step in motorsport. If you’re trying to turn your racing ambitions into a real path for 2027, this is exactly the kind of work we’ll be exploring.”
Applications close 1 October. Full details can be found here.
3 Grants of €30,000 to Drive a Ligier JS Cup France 2027 with SRT
Three €30,000 scholarships are available to race in the 2027 Ligier JS Cup France with SRT. Reserved for drivers eligible for the Ligier Junior Program (ages 16-26).
The program includes: a €15,000 discount on the season, 50% of damages covered up to €10,000, €5,000 for private testing at Magny-Cours (club circuit and F1 track), coaching, an SRT racing suit, and significant support for your sponsors.
Awarded by the SRT jury during the test days on October 27th & 28th.
Contact: jean-michel.melinand@srt-racing.ch, flavie.dumas@srt-racing.ch or via DM.
FormelAustria Race Academy F4 Screening Test on Oct 6/7
FormelAustria.at Race Academy F4 Screening Test on Oct 6/7 at the notorious @salzburgring_official
One test is full, but another is on the horizon!. Join us for the Formel Austria Race Academy F4 screening test on Oct 6/7 at the Salzburgring. Book now at office@formelaustria.at
On the Podcast This Week
Why Sim Racers Need to be Fit with Lewis Paris
This week on the Motorsport Prospects Podcast I chat with performance coach Lewis Paris who explains why sim racers need to be fit in order to maximize their performance on track. It will be an eye opener for those of you who spend hours in a sim but never think about the physical toll it takes on your body.
The episode drops this Wednesday, October 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST. You can listen to the episode and subscribe to the podcast here.
Karting
Nigeria Launches New karting Initiative with FIA Training in Abuja
South Africa holds the title for the most developed circuit-based motorsport leagues in Africa. However, other African countries, including Nigeria, are actively growing their national rallying championship and strengthening their FIA-affiliated motorsport federations. To build local talent, FIA instructors recently completed a major training program in Abuja, Nigeria. The President of the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), Ishaku Bamiayi, praised the training as a major success.
More details can be found here.
Champions of the Future America Expands 2027 Structure with Divisional Format, New Grassroots Development Program, and Clearer Driver Pathway
Champions of the Future America (COTF America) is set to enter a new era in 2027 with an expanded national structure designed to strengthen the pathway from entry-level karting to the highest levels of the sport.
The upcoming season introduces a split East and West divisional championship format, expanded international racing opportunities, and a grassroots development initiative aimed at improving accessibility while reinforcing progression throughout the sport.
Together, the expanded programs create a defined pathway from grassroots competition divisional and national championships and ultimately to international competition.
Velocity Racing Shifting Focus Toward Future
One of the quickest growing operations in North American karting over the last few seasons is Velocity Racing. The Florida-based race team grew from a few drivers to now becoming the official Sodikart team in the United States and the official importer for Sodikart brand. Taking over from Sodi Racing USA, the base of the distribution and dealer network remains intact as Velocity Racing looks to expand the brand’s reach while producing results on-track with the race team.
Last Week on The Business of Being a Race Driver
How Erik Evans Landed Coca-Cola
How Erik Evans landed Coca-Cola for his upcoming IMSA GT4 drive is just one of the topics covered in last week’s Business of Being a Race Driver. I also have some great sponsorship advice videos, podcast episodes and more that will help you in your quest for sponsorship.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Using the Simulator as a Training Tool
Using the simulator as a training tool is the focus in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have an offer for those racing in Formula Trophy Malaysia, a strategic partnership to connect grassroots motorsports with sim racing and more!
Driver Journeys
David Coulthard Compares Robin Raikkonen’s Path to Max Verstappen’s
Robin Raikkonen has started a new chapter by joining the Red Bull Junior Team. At just 11 years old, Kimi Raikkonen’s son is already making significant strides in karting. David Coulthard sees many similarities between Robin’s progress and the route that Max Verstappen took under the guidance of his father Jos. However, the former McLaren driver reminds us that predicting the future of young talents is never straightforward.
Read the full article at Paddock News 24 here.
Carlos Sainz Backs Bold Approach for Williams junior Will Green’s Racing Future
Carlos Sainz has urged Williams Formula 1 junior Will Green to prioritise finding the limits over consistency as the 13-year-old prepares to graduate from karting to single-seaters.
Green was announced as a Williams Racing Academy driver in December 2024 and recently became the 2026 Karting European Championship junior champion.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s better to push too hard and make mistakes than try and be too conservative,” Sainz said in the video on the Williams YouTube channel (which you can watch above). “You are at the age where it’s important to learn as much as possible. So, don’t be scared. “
Read the full article at Motorsport.com here.
One-On-One with Rocco Coronel, Motorsport as a Family Business
ACI Sport has a great profile on Rocco Coronel, Red Bull Junior driver and son of Tom Coronel. “I did pretty much all the steps possible in karting. Then I moved to the Ginetta Junior Championship, which I did for one year in England when I was 14, so last year. I won the championship there and had a lot of fun, as well as learning a lot. I think it’s a good step from karting to cars.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. 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.
