The Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program is closing in applications currently being accepted for the 2023 event at Sepang International Circuit on 25-27 September.
 
As part of the September’s regional program, participants will get between two and three days of track time on a former Formula 1 race track in top-spec Formula 4 cars, support from professional mechanics, advice and training from professional F4 race engineers and much more.
 
More information will be available via an online webinar taking place at 7.30pm AEST on 7 June, with registrations open. 
 
Along with extensive karting experience in the region during their careers, including in the competitive Australian karting scene, a selection of the FDA participants are now well on their way to further motorsport accolades.

Ahead of the upcoming webinar, motorsport.org.au caught up with three of last year’s top six to see how they are going nine months after the camp.
 
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Jack Beeton

Beeton was one of the youngest to feature in the FDA Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program, making his efforts of going fastest overall on multiple occasions even more impressive.
 
One of two drivers to be selected for the Ferrari Driver Academy Scouting World Finals Program in Maranello, the 14-year-old just lost out on the sole spot in the FDA to Finnish driver Tuukka Taponen.
 
The setback was only the start of his journey, as he made his international F4 Championship debut over the summer in the Formula 4 UAE Championship along with 45 other drivers from around the world. 
 
The Queenslander then moved to the arguably the toughest F4 competition in the world, the Italian F4 Championship, which is currently three rounds into the 2023 season and has 39 competitors.
 
The youngster had a decent start to the campaign, with a P13 and P10 in his first two races at Imola before notching up two P17s at the Misano World Circuit.
 
“I don’t know what life would be like without racing but this year has been a great learning experience,” Beeton said.  
 
“F4 just as crazy as karting in Australia, and it hasn’t been too clean. Everyone is super aggressive because it’s all about making your mark if you want to be known across the paddock.
 
“Being in the UAE and Italian F4 Championship has been awesome too. Driving against the best young talents around the world is a great opportunity to learn and step up skill-wise.
 
“Doing the FDA was amazing and gave me an insight into this whole new world. It certainly built the foundations for my journey, and honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t go to the FDA – in fact I would probably be still karting in Australia. 
 
“Not only was it effective for driving, but all the other teachings like media, nutrition, data, fitness and how to deal with setbacks – it was an amazing experience, and I would love to do it again.”
 

Jimmy Piszcyk

Piszcyk was one of the strongest drivers throughout the three-day camp at Sepang International Circuit, and although he made it through to the top six, unfortunately that’s as far as he got.
 
Like Beeton, Piszcyk took part in the 2023 Formula UAE Championship and produced a number of solid results over the course of the season, picking up a handful of top 10 finishes.
 
The South Australin’s P15 saw him ranked as the second highest Australian contesting the competitive championship, beaten only by current Ferrari Driver Academy member and eventual champion, James Wharton. 
 
The championship also gave him a chance to get used to his new team, Hitech Grand Prix, ahead of the British F4 Championship, where he is currently racing.
 
With three rounds having been run already, Piszcyk had a slow start to the season but has begun to find his feet in the Championship, collecting a handful of top 10 placings from eight races, including two fifth places – the first of which saw him make up 10 spots in the process.
 
“I have enjoyed the move to England so far and although it’s cold. Getting used to how they race is going well. It’s like Australia in a lot of aspects,” Piszcyk explained.
 
“Everyone has the same goal in mind which is to become a professional race car driver and it’s been a good season even though the first round was a bit of a rocky start. I have learnt Quali is really important because it’s hard to pass on these tracks. 
 
“With that said, results are coming along and my driving is improving a lot. Every time I am out on the track, I am gaining confidence in myself and my race craft. 
 
“It was similar in the UAE because I had a slow start, but improved as the season came along and I did well for the start of my first F4 journey considering the competition.
 
“As for the FDA, it was a great experience and I loved it so much because it was well put together and it was really fun to drive a car internationally for the first time.
 
“I made friends with new people and I learned important things like warming up tyres on slicks and how to go about qualifying runs – it definitely helped me with my driving.
 
“I would highly recommend the FDA. Regardless of what happened with the top six, I think I have learned a lot and it has helped a lot.”
 

Pat Heuzenroeder

Like Piszcyk, Heuzenroeder made it as far as the top six and was one of the fittest throughout the camp, but just missed out on final selection. 
 
Shortly after heading to Malaysia, the New South Welshman was snapped up by Argenti Motorsport to contest the 2023 British F4 Championship.
 
Joining Piszcyk and fellow Australian Noah Lisle in the championship, Heuzenroeder has taken a little longer to hit form than the others – but the youngest of the trio is now started to find more pace.
 
Having made up positions in almost every race this year, including a season-high seven places in the opening round to finish P7, Heuzenroeder picked up a career-first podium during the most recent round in Snetterton with third place having climbed three places.
 
“Overall my time in the UK has been pretty good and it’s been an awesome experience. Everything is so close and everyone knows everybody and you can really see why it’s the hub for motorsport,” Heuzenroeder said.
 
“I am really learning about the competitiveness of being overseas. The level of effort everyone goes to is quite different to Australia and it’s something I am learning to embrace.
 
“For me, this year is a learning experience and about soaking everything in. I am up against a lot of experienced people, so I just need to soak in the information. 
 
“Looking back at the FDA, it was so good. I hadn’t done much before but going overseas for motorsport for the first time was awesome. 
 
Sepang was such a good venue which had a bit of everything. It was a great experience as a whole because I had never had to be professional and switched on for four days straight, which was great. 
 
“Having the guys from Ferrari gave it this whole new level and the top six was a massive confidence boost. I learnt so much, like how to be professional and consistent and I feel I maximised the opportunity.”