The 2025 motorsport season is well underway and plenty of Australian talent are beginning their journey in new categories across the globe. From stepping up to the pinnacle of Formula 1 to making waves in endurance racing and rallying, these drivers are moving into the next phase of their motorsport career.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of Aussies competing internationally, it highlights those making significant moves into new Championships and Series this year.

Formula 3 – James Wharton

ART Grand Prix has announced the signing of Australian racing talent James Wharton for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship season, completing their driver lineup for the upcoming year.

This big move represents a major milestone in Wharton’s career as he steps onto the global stage with one of the most prestigious teams in junior motorsport.

Finishing second in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) in 2024, the young Australian consistently showcased his speed and skill, securing four wins, five pole positions, and ten podium finishes in his debut season in the category.

Also in 2024, Wharton made his FIA Formula 3 debut at Silverstone with Hitech Pulse-Eight, gaining valuable experience and proving his readiness for the next level.

Reflecting on his signing, Wharton shared his enthusiasm.

“Joining ART Grand Prix is undoubtedly the most significant step in my racing career so far,” Wharton said.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me and my potential. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got and make the most of this incredible opportunity.”

The first round of the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship season begins at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 14-16.

Formula 1 – Jack Doohan

Jack Doohan, Alpine’s F1 reserve driver since 2023, will step up to a full-time race seat at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix in 2025 after making his Formula 1 Championship debut at the 2024 season finale.

The young Queenslander, the latest Aussie on the F1 grid, brings strong racing pedigree, with multiple F3 and F2 wins to his name.

Doohan’s career began in British Formula 4, followed by stints in Italian F4, ADAC F4, and Asian F3, before moving to FIA Formula 3 in 2020, where he finished as runner-up in 2021.

Joining Alpine’s Driver Development Programme in 2022, he claimed sixth in his rookie F2 season and improved to third in 2023, securing three wins, including back-to-back feature race victories in Hungary and Belgium.

With F1 experience from multiple free practice sessions with Alpine between 2022 and 2024, Doohan has landed the opportunity to race alongside teammate Pierre Gasly and the rest of the grid for 2025.

The first round of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Championship season begins in Melbourne on March 14-16.

Formula 1 – Oscar Piastri

The Victorian will enjoy a true home crowd advantage at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix this weekend, in what will be his third full-time season with McLaren.

With two Grand Prix victories now under his belt, and with McLaren fresh from clinching the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Piastri will be looking forward to a potential Drivers’ Championship campaign alongside his British teammate Lando Norris.

Piastri was recently awarded the Sir Jack Brabham Award in 2024 for his exceptional driving in the respective season.

McLaren Trophy – Jayden Kelly

Young Australian racer Jayden Kelly is set to embark on his second season in the McLaren Trophy Europe, joining forces with the championship-winning Greystone GT team and Silver-graded driver Michael O’Brien for a Pro category title assault in 2025.

Jayden made an immediate impact in his debut season, earning Driver of the Day honours at Misano, securing pole position and the race win at Spa-Francorchamps, and adding further podiums at the Nürburgring to finish third overall.

Kelly is ready to build on that success with Greystone GT, a two-time McLaren Trophy Europe champion team.

“I cannot wait to get behind the wheel with the fantastic team at Greystone GT as we start our Pro category campaign in 2025,” Kelly said.

“Now I’m ready to chase down the title in the Pro category. Driving alongside Michael and with the winning expertise of the Greystone GT team behind me, I’ll be giving it everything I have out on track. A massive thank you to the whole team, I can’t wait to get going!”

The 2025 season kicks off at Brands Hatch on 3-4 May, with highlights including a feature at the iconic CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa in June.

GB3 Championship – Pat Heuzenroeder

Xcel Motorsport confirmed the Australian rising star Patrick Heuzenroeder will lead the team’s maiden GB3 Championship campaign in 2025.

Heuzenroeder, who showcased his talent in last year’s GB3 Championship with a podium and multiple top five finishes, brings valuable experience and speed to Xcel’s debut season.

After a successful run finishing fourth outright in the New Zealand Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, Pat has been turning heads with his impressive pace and overtaking.

Heuzenroeder finished fourth in the standings with eight top five finishes, including four podiums, and one win, setting the stage for a strong GB3 campaign.

The GB3 Championship is the UK’s premier single-seater series and will visit iconic circuits in 2025, including Spa, Monza, Zandvoort, Hungaroring, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, and Donington.

“I’m very excited to be joining Xcel Motorsport in my 2025 GB3 campaign,” Heuzenroeder said.

“I think we’ve got a great team, full of experience, and hungry to win. I can’t wait to get the season started in April.”

The 2025 GB3 Championship kicks off at Silverstone on April 26-27.

GB3 Championship – Gianmarco Pradel

Rodin Motorsport has added Australian Gianmarco Pradel to its 2025 GB3 Championship lineup as it aims to defend its team title.

Pradel, who impressed in Italian F4 and Euro 4, notably secured a standout win at Monza which saw him complete stunning overtakes to secure the win.

He has already tested with Rodin and will soon experience the new Tatuus MSV GB3-025 car, featuring enhanced downforce, horsepower, safety improvements and DRS.

Indy NXT – Tommy Smith

Australian driver Tommy Smith has joined HMD Motorsports for the 2025 Indy NXT season, piloting the team’s No. 16 entry.

Smith, who began his racing career in 2017 with stints in New Zealand Formula Ford and Australian Formula 4, has since competed in Asian F3, Formula Regional European Championship, and GB3.

He spent the last two seasons in FIA Formula 3, achieving a best finish of fourth at Silverstone in 2024.

“I’m excited to compete in America and am up for the challenge,” said Smith, who reunites with former FIA Formula 3 teammate Caio Collet, both having driven for Van Amersfoort Racing in 2023.

The first round of the IndyNxt season is complete where Smith finished 15th, the next round will be the Grand Prix of Alabama, taking place on May 4.

Indy NXT – Lochie Hughes

Andretti Global announced late last year that rising star Lochie Hughes will join their 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone lineup, driving the No. 26 Andretti Dallara.

The 22 year old Australian driver brings an impressive track record and a promising future to the team.

Hughes began his racing career in karting in 2012 before transitioning to car racing in 2018, making his debut in the Australian Formula 4 Championship.

In 2023, Hughes moved up to the USF2000 Championship, where he earned the Hyperco Rookie of the Year award, securing four race wins, eight podium finishes, and two pole positions.

He continued his upward trajectory in 2024, dominating the USF Pro 2000 Championship as the series champion. His standout season included four pole positions, five wins, six additional podiums, and another Rookie of the Year honour.

Hughes has already made a strong impression in the Indy NXT series, securing a debut podium finish at St. Petersburg behind race winner Dennis Hauger.

The next round of the season takes place on May 4 for the Grand Prix of Alabama.

Formula Regional European Championship – Jack Beeton

PREMA Racing has signed 16-year-old Australian Jack Beeton for the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.

The Gold Coast star steps up from Formula 4 in 2023, where he competed in the F4 UAE championship, before joining the Euro 4 and Italian Formula 4 championships.

Beeton later claimed the 2023 F4 South Asia Championship title with two wins and five podiums.
In 2024, he became Italian F4 vice-champion with 16 podiums, three poles, and one win.

In the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Beeton ended the season with a maiden victory with the Mumbai Falcons at Lusail.

His P5 result in Qualifying 2 set him up perfectly for Race 3, making multiple overtakes and finishing the race in P1.

Beeton has already started preparations with PREMA for the season opener at Misano in May.

Junior WRC – Taylor Gill 

Australian rally star Taylor Gill and co-driver Dan Brkic have returned to the Junior WRC Championship (JWRC) in 2025.

Gill, the youngest-ever ARC Production Cup winner (2023), had a stellar debut season in 2024 and already has enjoyed a opening round JWRC win at Rallye Sweden in the Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo as part of the FIA Rally Star program.

The 2025 calendar continues with Portugal, Greece, Finland, and the new addition of Central Europe.

British F4 – Jimmy Piszyck

Australian Jimmy Piszcyk rejoins British F4 with Rodin Motorsport for 2025.

The 18-year-old dominated the 2024 Australian F4 Championship, winning the opening nine races en route to the title.

Piszcyk previously finished fifth in British F4 in 2023 for Hitech Pulse-Eight, securing four podiums and two wins.

Starting in karts at age seven, he transitioned to cars in Formula Ford in 2021 before moving to British F4 in 2023.

The 2025 British F4 Championship begins at Donington Park National on April 26-27.

F1 Academy – Aiva Anagnostiadis and Joanne Ciconte
Aiva Anagnostiadis and Joanne Ciconte are both making their F1 Academy debut in 2025.

17 year old, Anagnostiadis will join the 2025 series, supported by TAG Heuer.

She has built a strong foundation in karting and junior formulas and is ready to take on the challenge of F1 Academy.

In 2022, Anagnostiadis competed at the Motorsport Games in France and won the Australian Ladies Trophy in 2021.

By 2024, she transitioned to car racing, testing regularly with Argenti Motorsport and finishing 10th in her debut season in the Indian F4 championship.

Her dedication and passion for motorsport have been evident throughout her career, and she now looks to make a significant impact on the track.

Ciconte, who has steadily climbed the ranks in junior motorsport categories, is set to make her mark in the F1 Academy series with MP Motorsport.

Her impressive performances in karting and single-seater racing have demonstrated her potential, and she now looks to take the next step in her career.

Ciconte scored points in Australian F4 before continuing her development in Europe, participating in the Brno round of the Central European Zone F4 Championship

Both girls will kick off their F1 Academy season in Shanghai on March 21-23.