Last weekend, Formelaustria and Renauer Motorsport presented Austria’s new Junior Formula Academy in the presence of F1 legend Riccardo Patrese.
All of Austria wants a red-white-red Max Verstappen. Following 1 1/2 years of preparation, Formelaustria, and renowned racing team Renauer Motorsport have started looking for the next domestic Formula 1 driver by launching their “Formelaustria Young Driver Program”
On the one hand, Austria’s top motorsport hub supports young domestic drivers such as Charlie and Oscar Wurz with sponsorship and media presence, but on the other hand it now also trains young talents in Formula 4. “Austrian motorracing fans have been waiting for our next Formula 1 driver for two decades. While most people are just talking, we have rolled up our sleeves and set up our own program,” explains Formelaustria publisher and program director Harry Miltner.
After having already celebrated success in 2024 with Simon Schranz (TIR), Luca Savu (RO) and Alex Scheiblecker (NÖ), the “More Than Equal” initiative of Miltner’s Scottish compatriot and ex-F1 star, David Coulthard, has become aware of Austria’s new formula series junior program. “I am very pleased that ‘DC’ and his team want to cooperate with us. In a first step, we will test with two of their six female karting talents,” confirms Miltner. The two candidates are Austrian Ivonn Simeonova and Czech Kristýna Kalistová.
F1 legend Riccardo Patrese and ORF motorsport expert Corinna Kampe were live on site at the presentation of the program. “Harry’s program is incredibly important for racing, and for Austria in particular. Your country has a long tradition of great drivers, such as Niki (Lauda) or Gerhard (Berger), against whom I have also driven,” praises Patrese. “Professional youth work is essential to bring talented drivers far, perhaps all the way to Formula 1,” the 1992 F1 world championship runner-up continued.
Kamper also welcomes “this new youth program. A particular highlight for me is the fact that some female drivers are also involved and are given the same conditions and chances as their male colleagues.”
The technical support is provided by Renauer Motorsport. “We have been working intensively on Formula 4 and junior sport over the past 18 months. Now we are certainly up to date with our workshop and our cars,” track director Florian Renauer is confident.
The program is financed by Formelaustria and partnerships with national and international brands. Two companies are already on board, and more are to follow.
Share: