The participants for the 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) – Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program have been chosen with 24 drivers to attend Sepang International Circuit for the three-day event.
 
The successful drivers between 14 and 17-year-old were selected from a pool of more than 60 applicants and will now head to Malaysia at the end of the next month where they will be evaluated on their driving, fitness and media skills.
 
Following on from the intense testing program, up to two drivers may be selected to attend the FDA’s Scouting World Finals in Maranello, where they will go up against drivers from other regions in a bid for a potential place in the FDA for 2023.
 
With Motorsport Australia running the Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program in 2022, the 24 selected teenagers hail from seven different countries highlighting the diversity of this year’s talent pool. 
 
Making up the field are drivers from Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan.
 
With all 24 finalists capable of being selected for the Ferrari Driver Academy’s Scouting World Finals, Motorsport Australia’s Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations, Michael Smith was looking forward to the event.
 
“A big congratulations to all 24 drivers for being selected for this year’s FDA Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program, which is a massive achievement in itself,” Smith said.
 
“We are thrilled with the huge amount of interest shown in the application process and I feel there is very little in it with all 24 drivers a good chance of progressing through to the next phase.
 
“The Ferrari Driver Academy is an incredible opportunity for the aspiring youngsters, and to have a number of drivers selected from outside Australia is fantastic as it represents the strong diversity of this year’s competition.
 
“The three-day intensive program will certainly challenge these young drivers in all aspects, and we look forward to seeing them in action at the magnificent Sepang International Circuit next month.”
 
There are a few familiar names representing the Australian field with last year’s two winners of the Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program in Costa Toparis and Jesse Lacey both entered again.
 
Although Lacey ended up attending Maranello last year to compete in the Scouting World Finals, Toparis was unable to go due to Australia’s border restrictions. Both boys now enter this year’s regional selection program having gained a lot more experience in a Formula 4 car in the past 12 months.
 
Another driver of note is the youngest driver of the 24, Lincoln Taylor.

The just-turned 14-year-old enters the program having also been named as one of two new drivers for Indigenous youth motorsport program Racing Together.
 
Hailing from Queensland, Taylor, whose family is from the Kooma people of St George, has enjoyed a stellar karting career thus far with his most recent success being in the opening round of the 2020 Australian Kart Championship in the Cadet 12 Class.
 
The Ferrari Driver Academy – Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program takes place Sepang International Circuit on 26-28 September.
 

Selected Candidates

Ruhaan Alva – India
Hayden Bakkerus – New Zealand
Jack Beeton – Australia
Akshay Bohra – Singapore
Jarrod Bottomley – Australia
Christian Cowie – Australia
Alex Crosbie – New Zealand
Hayden Crossland – Australia
Christian Estasy – Australia
Anshul Gandhi – India
Alex Gardner – Australia
Patrick Heuzenroeder – Australia
Zara Horn – Australia
Kristian Janev – Australia
Gael Julien – Indonesia
Jesse Lacey – Australia
Max Mason – Australia
Chase Parks – Thailand
James Piszcyk – Australia
Gianmarco Pradel – Australia
Beau Russell – Australia
Ryuma Sako – Japan
Lincoln Taylor – Australia
Costa Toparis – Australia