The FIA Institute is launching a groundbreaking new project to develop young driver talent worldwide.
The new FIA Institute Academy will provide opportunities for upcoming drivers to develop the skills and attitudes they need to progress their motor sport careers. The participation and support of the FIA’s National Sporting Associations (ASNs) is helping to ensure that the most talented drivers across the world have access to this initiative.
Potential participants will be aged between 17 and 23 years old and will be in at least their first year of circuit racing or rallying in 2010. Initially, the Institute Academy is selecting 10 drivers to take part, with at least one driver chosen from each of the following five regions: North, Central and South America; Western and Northern Europe; Central and Eastern Europe; Middle East and Africa; Asia and Oceania.
The FIA Institute is teaming up with former Formula One star and two-time Le Mans winner Alex Wurz as well as former World Rally Champion Robert Reid to lead the Institute Academy training programme.
Rubens Barrichello, President of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, representing the current drivers and test drivers in Formula One, has given his support to the Institute Academy.
Academy objectives
The primary goals of the Institute Academy are:
- to prepare young drivers to compete at the pinnacle of the sport;
- to increase skills in the area of driver and road safety;
- to actively promote the principles of safety, fairness and responsibility both on and off the track.
The Institute Academy programme will be fully funded by the FIA Foundation, and managed by the FIA Institute, as part of the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund’s Young Driver Safety Programme.
