The future of the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) could soon feature a raft of Kiwi drivers with three young racers from New Zealand being chosen to take part in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania selection program next month.
Jacob Douglas, Hayden Bakkerus and Alex Crosbie were picked by Ferrari to partake in the selection program and will each make their way to Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for the three day event held on September 25 to 28.
They join total of 24 drivers who will undergo classroom and on-track assessment including three hours behind the wheel of a Formula 4 car, fitness training, data analysis training, mentoring from race engineers and more.
On the last day, six of the 24 drivers will undergo further evaluation while just two will be chosen to join the world finals in Italy. If successful in the final, drivers will be offered a place in the Ferrari Driver Academy.
The Academy is a great way for young drivers wanting to reach the top ranks of motorsport with previous attendees like Mick Schumacher and Charles Leclerc now competing in Formula 1.
Kiwi Marcus Armstrong also took part in the academy and now competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. However, he may soon join the likes of Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin in IndyCar.
Speaking with KartSport NZ, Crosbie expressed his excitement to be apart of the 24 lucky racers.
“It should be an amazing experience and to be chosen as one of 24 from the Asia-Pacific region is awesome,” he said.
Douglas also commented on the opportunity saying, “It’s exciting to represent not only New Zealand but therefore KartSport New Zealand on the next step of the ladder in Motorsport.”
“It would also be very cool to hopefully follow my fellow Christchurch driver, Marcus Armstrong’s path into the Ferrrari Academy,” he added speaking with KartSport NZ.
We look forward to seeing how the young New Zealanders do on September 25 to 28.
Main image: Jacob Douglas Facebook, Alex Crosbie Facebook, Hayden Bakkerus Facebook
