The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) has long been a breeding ground for emerging talent in the international motorsport scene.
 
And what was once an opportunity only available to those based and competing in Europe, has now been extended to a global search thanks to the Academy’s regional selection programs.
 
The expansion now allows the world’s most iconic racing brand to unearth young stars from all corners of the world, including the Asia and Pacific and Oceania region, where Motorsport Australia, in partnership with Ferrari, has run a successful program over the past two years.
 
The previous search has seen some of the brightest young talents from our region showcase their ability the FDA team in the hopes of earning a ticket to the Scouting World Finals in Italy and eventually, a spot in the academy itself.
 
The worldwide search is focused on teenagers aged 14-17-years-old, who Ferrari believe are at the right age to be moulded into potential Formula 1 drivers, regardless of their on-track experience.

One big supporter of the regional Selection Programs is Head of the FDA, Jock Clear, who believed the camps gave them the opportunity to identify raw talent and create a new path.


“These drivers are still young and a lot happens between 14 and 18-years-old, and we want to be part of that journey,” Clear said.
 
“As such, you don't have to be driving a Formula 4 car and winning races for us to notice you. If you're driving in a regional karting championship and winning races, we think we can evaluate you on a level basis and say (the) kid's got very little experience, but they’ve certainly got the talent we're looking for.
 
“Our scouting process is quite refined now. I think we're getting better and better at effectively taking away that pressure on families getting their kids to a certain level so that they’re noticed.
 
“Once you’re noticed (by us), we’ll facilitate the rest. And the journey gets a little bit easier once you have our support. It doesn't become easy and you still need to work very hard and the talent needs to be there, but it certainly makes the path easier.

 
One recent success story of the FDA is Oliver Bearman who replaced Carlos Sainz in the second round of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, scoring points on debut.
 
And it’s because of that success that Clear was confident in searching far and wide to find the right candidate to join the Academy, who in turn could one day compete on the world’s premiere category.


“In the short term, we want to find really good drivers. And you know, if you've got some future world champions driving around karting tracks in Australia or in New Zealand, we want to get hold of them early,” Clear explained.
 
“It’s a global view for us now. We don't want to miss out on anybody out there and we want to find the next Charles Leclerc or the next Oscar Piastri.
 
“The Ollie Bearman story really helps that. That's an FDA driver who's been with us for three years. It seems minutes ago he was in Formula 4 and suddenly he's scoring points in his debut in a Ferrari.
 
“And that just goes to show the young kids it can be done with the FDA and we want to facilitate that. We're not going to make champions, but we're going to find people who are champion material and give them the opportunity.”
 
Applications for the 2024 Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program are now being accepted, with interested participants able to apply until mid-next month.
 
Get more information on the program and how to apply here.
 
The 2024 Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program takes place at Sepang International Circuit on 15-19 September.