The Formelaustria Young Driver Programme, Austria’s new junior academy for formula drivers, has been active since the beginning of June 2024. Due to the great international response, the participation area is now being expanded.
“We launched the program to give Austria a Formula 1 driver again in the long term. But since the presentation in June, we have received several registrations every week from all over Europe,” says Program Director Harry Miltner, who is more than satisfied.
For this reason, it was decided to expand the geographical radius for participants. “We continue to focus on Austria, but we are also looking at drivers from neighboring countries as well as the Benelux countries and Scandinavia,” Miltner continues.
Simon Schranz has been completing the test phase of the Formelaustria Young Driver Program since the end of 2023 and – after great performances at various club races in the Formula 4 category – will be making guest starts in the FIA F4 Central European Zone. In 2025, the Tyrolean will then compete in the entire F4 CEZ season.
Alex Scheiblecker recently joined the program and is now starting the development program. The Lower Austrian has been very successful in the domestic kart championship so far.
“In addition to the two Austrians, we have already had two Czechs, a Hungarian-American and a Swedish driver for test drives. We are looking at a Dutchman and a Swede next.”
The screening tests take place with program partner Renauer Motorsport either on the team’s “home track” at the Pannoniaring, but can also be scheduled at the Red Bull Ring or the Slovakiaring.
“We are practically at home at the Pannoniaring. The track is less than two hours from our workshop in Neunkirchen and offers the highest FIA standards. Because we have been testing there for years, we have top experience,” explains Track Director Florian Renauer.
The program receives prestigious backing from ambassadors such as David Coulthard, Riccardo Patrese and Alex Wurz, whose sons Charlie and Oscar are also supported by Formelautria.
Click here to watch the Review Clip of the Formelaustria Young Driver Programme Launch Event
Anyone who is accepted into the Formelaustria Young Driver Programme as a karting talent can not only drive Formula 4 for a significantly lower budget than usual, but also receives all PR support and their own media training.
“It is important to us that the drivers can offer their sponsors a professional appearance. Because in junior racing, it is often quite a mess, which scares off financial partners or does not make them aware of the benefits of the partnership.”
Karting talents can request further information about the Formelaustria Young Driver Programme at office@formelaustria.at.
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