The Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program has reached its final stage, with the top six drivers for 2023 confirmed.
 
Taking place at Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the second consecutive year, 24 teenagers from around the region underwent rigorous testing across two days to determine six finalists for the regional program.
 
From spending time in the state-of-the-art Tatuus F4-T421 Formula 4 cars, cutting laps around the famous circuit, to testing their fitness and media skills, there were several factors included in the final assessment with each driver’s previous experience also considered.
 
In addition to testing, drivers also spent time working through data analysis, and sponsorship presentations, along with nutrition advice and physical training information. 
 
Although each driver was highly impressive in their efforts, only six were able to progress through to Wednesday’s final stage, with those chosen being Enzo Yeh (Chinese Taipei), James Piszcyk (Australia), Kamal Mrad (Australia), Sebastian Manson (New Zealand), William Go (Philippines) and Lincoln Taylor (Australia).
  
In attendance for the program were Ferrari representatives Jock Clear and Alessandro Vantini, both of whom were left highly impressed with the quality of talent for the event.
 
Clear, who is also the Driver Coach for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, praised the effort of all 24 drivers.
 
“Firstly, to have been selected for the 24 finalists in the region is a remarkable achievement so every driver who was here in Malaysia for the past few days should be extremely proud of themselves,” Clear said.
 
“There was plenty of talent on show across the two days and all drivers put on a fantastic display in the cars, some of which were behind the wheel of a top-spec Formula 4 car for the first time.
 
“There was very little difference between all drivers on track however there is only room for six of the participants to progress through to the final stage of the event.
 
“And while this will no doubt be an exciting moment for these six chosen drivers, they still have a lot of work to do as the final stage will be extremely challenging.
 
“We look forward to seeing who will be selected to take part in the FDA Scouting World Finals.”


Also in attendance at Sepang was Motorsport Australia’s Director of Communications & Content, Paul Riordan who echoed Clear’s comments
 
“A big congratulations to not just the drivers for being selected for the final six, but to all 24 drivers who were invited to attend Sepang International Circuit,” Riordan said.
 
“Every driver showed passion and determination across both days and put in their all within every component of the program, so for that reason alone, all participants should be proud.
 
“We hope that all drivers gained some valuable experience working with the FDA and Motorsport Australia team as part of the program, as well as the top six who now have an extremely unique opportunity available to them.
 
“For those who were not chosen, on behalf of Motorsport Australia, I wish them all the best on their future endeavours, and we look forward to following their progress.”
 
The top six drivers will now spend the final day of the event program going through a replication of a standard international Formula 4 weekend, where they will complete practice and qualifying sessions in the morning and a race simulation in the afternoon.
 
FDA representatives will then decide the drivers who will earn a place in next month’s FDA World Scouting Finals in Italy, with a position at the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2024 on the line.