A number of young Australians have secured significant opportunities overseas for the 2023 season as they look to continue their development and motorsport careers.
 
FIA Motorsport Games Team Australia representatives Costa Toparis and Aiva Anagnostiadis, along with 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program participants Max Mason will all have unique opportunities in 2023.
 
After impressing in his initial Formula 4 runs in the FIA Motorsport Games and then the Formula 4 UAE Championship season opener at the Dubai Autodrome, Toparis has been confirmed to race in the 2023 GB3 Championship.
 
Rounding out Rodin Carlin’s three-car GB3 line-up, the 15-year-old essentially makes his international full-season debut as he jumps straight into the strong championship, skipping the British F4 Championship.
 
“I want to thank Rodin Cars for their continued support of my career and for giving me this incredible opportunity to race in the GB3 Championship,” Toparis told the GB3 championship website.
 
“I appreciate the faith that they and the team have placed in me and know that together we can achieve great results.
 
“I have had the chance to test the car over the winter and have had time to get to know the team as well. It’s been a fantastic experience and we are making positive progress.
 
“I am eager for the season to commence as I have so much to learn as well as having the good fortune of competing against so many great future racing stars.”
 
There will be eight rounds making up the 2023 season, beginning at Oulton Park on 8-10 April.


Unlike Toparis, Anagnostiadis enters the 2023 season having almost no experience in an open-wheel race car, but she had done enough during her time in karting as well as in France as Australia’s karting representative for the FIA Motorsport Games to impress Formula 1 outfit, Alpine.
 
So much so, Anagnostiadis was one of six drivers selected for the French team’s Race(H)er Academy Program – an initiative introduced last year to help develop Alpine’s sports and business performance.
 
Anagnostiadis will be part of the team’s young driver karting programme where she will benefit from a tailor-made sports programme to help improve her craft.
 
As for Mason, the 16-year-old he will compete in the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season, becoming just the second Australian after Josh Burdon to compete in the unique championship.     


One of the six drivers the series invited to participate in its Drivers Recruitment Day, Mason did enough to earn a seat in EuroNASCAR 2 for the 2023 season.
 
Mason won’t be too unfamiliar with the cars during the season thanks to a stint behind the wheel of the Racingfuel Motorsport’s #58 Chevrolet Camaro in the EuroNASCAR Club Challenge last year.
 
Although he has yet to confirm a team, Mason will race in the full six round season.
 
“I am super excited for this year in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, as well as the new challenge and the super fun cars,” Mason said.
 
“This move has been in the works for around four months and it’s really taken a lot of work but it’s been worth every bit. It’s a great platform to launch from as it’s an international series and it will get me in front of at least 150,000 people, which is great for my brand and exposure.
 
“I think having the opportunity to be involved with the FDA was an awesome experience and helped me with my CV, as well as helped me learn where I needed to improve.
 
“This year, my expectations are very high and I am aiming for podiums, wins and also the championship.
 
“I would like to thank my mum for always supporting my dreams and making all my dreams come true. She has been the most important person in my career so far. I would also like to thank my dad for his help on track and helping me achieve my goals.”
 
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series begins with the Valencia NASCAR Fest at Spain’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo on 6-7 May.