Latest news with #DriverDevelopmentProgram
Dubai Eye
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Dubai Eye
Yas Heat launches initiative to discover young motor racing talent
Yas Heat Racing Academy, part of Yas Marina Circuit, has launched a new national initiative named "Al Sabq" that aims to discover and develop the next generation of Emirati motorsport talent. Boys and girls aged 5 to 6 will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on May 10th at Yas Kart Zone, with the final day of registration for the event on May 7th. Three participants will then be selected to receive a fully subsidized seat in the local Bambino Championship and join the Yas Heat Academy Driver Development Program. The program includes a full day of technical and physical assessments, including time trials, fitness challenges, and an assessment of on-track leadership skills. Ali Al Bishr, General Manager of Yas Marina Circuit, emphasized that the initiative is a step in the efforts to strengthen the UAE's presence in the global motorsports scene. He said that the "Sabaq" initiative is an extension of the Academy's vision to build a new generation of local champions in single-seater racing by investing in emerging talent and honing their skills within a professional environment. The Yas Heat Racing Academy is a prominent platform for supporting and developing Emirati drivers, and has produced a number of prominent international figures, most notably Keanu Al Azhari, currently competing in the GB3 Championship; Hamda Al Qubaisi, who has achieved outstanding achievements within the Formula 1 Academy; and Rashid Al Dhaheri, who competes in the European Formula Regional Championship.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Crawford joins Formula E rookie test
America's Jak Crawford, Colombian Tatiana Calderon and Austrian Thomas Preining are the final three drivers confirmed for next week's Formula E rookie free practice at the Jeddah E-Prix. They will drive for Andretti, Lola Yamaha Abt and TAG Heuer Porsche respectively, completing an 11-driver line-up for the 40-minute session, dubbed 'FP0,' that will take place on Feb. 13 ahead of the first doubleheader event of the season. Andretti reserve and development driver Crawford (pictured above) has prior Formula E experience, having driven for the team at last season's rookie test in Berlin, but this will be his first taste of the new GEN3 Evo cars. The Charlotte native is a member of the Aston Martin Driver Development Program in Formula 1 and is about to embark on a third season in Formula 2, his second with DAMS. He has two wins in the category. 'I'm very excited at the opportunity of driving a Formula E car again, especially as it will be my first time in the GEN3 Evo,' said Crawford. 'I'm super excited to experience the increased acceleration and try out the new all-wheel-drive system. 'I'm very familiar with the track from driving there in Formula 2, so it will be interesting to compare the experiences. Ultimately, the aim will be to secure important data for the team to put us in the best position possible ahead of our race weekend.' Calderon links up with Lola having driven for Maserati MSG Racing at last November's female driver test in Jarama. She is racing in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship this season for Gradient Racing alongside Lola Cars chairman Till Bechtolsheimer. 'I'm very excited to join the Lola Yamaha Abt Team for the Rookie free practice in Jeddah, which I feel is a great opportunity provided by Formula E for drivers who are new to the series,' said Calderon. 'I've been impressed with the progress this new team has made so far and that is a testament of the quality of the people behind it. There's a great atmosphere with everyone pushing in the same direction, something I've felt when I've been preparing in the simulator. 'I'm very grateful to the whole team for this opportunity and can't wait to hit the track in Jeddah to help them gain some valuable data in preparation for the first doubleheader of the season.' Porsche factory driver Preining also took part in the Berlin test, as well as 2020 rookie test in Marrakesh, and was one of the team's designated test and development drivers in the 2019-20 season alongside Simona de Silvestro. Preining was DTM champion in 2023 and has won six times in the last three seasons of the German-based GT3 series. Jeddah E-Prix Free Practice 0 line-up Andretti – Jak Crawford Cupra Kiro – Mikkel Jensen DS Penske – Daniil Kvyat Envision Racing – Zak O'Sullivan Jaguar TCS Racing – Jamie Chadwick Lola Yamaha Abt – Tatiana Calderon Mahindra Racing – Kush Maini Maserati MSG Racing – Théo Pourchaire NEOM McLaren – Alex Dunne Nissan Formula E Team – Gabriele Mini TAG Heuer Porsche – Thomas Preining Story originally appeared on Racer
