Youth development: F1 driver George Russell is on the hunt for the next racing star

George Russell has launched his karting academy, the ‘GR63 Karting Academy’, at Silverstone, through which he aims to give 25 talented young racing drivers the opportunity to gain a foothold in the world of motorsport. The programme supports racing drivers aged eight and nine who need help funding their careers.

The 25 members of the new karting development programme must go through a four-stage process, which gets underway next month at the Silverstone karting circuit. The programme kicks off on 6 December, when anyone meeting the age requirements can qualify to progress through 15-minute karting sessions; this phase will run until the end of the year. The cost of taking part in a session is around 30 euros.

George Russell launches his own karting championship

Eighty talented drivers will be selected from the applicants to prove their skills in a shootout on 31 January 2027. They can qualify for one of the 25 places through practice sessions and qualifying races. Here, too, an entry fee of 90 euros will be charged. Those who make the cut will be able to take part in the ‘GR63 Championship’, which consists of eight rounds, with all costs covered. The championship rounds will be held on different layout variations of the Silverstone karting circuit.

Those who finish in the top five will benefit from an in-depth analysis of the various skills required of a Formula 1 driver. The focus will be on talent as well as lap times, fitness, racing ability and media skills. The winner will also be awarded funding for an entire karting season the year after next.

The right platform for all talented drivers

“The best drivers should be given the right platform to reach the top – regardless of their background. That is the mission of the GR63 Academy,” explains the Mercedes star, who currently sits third in the World Championship standings. “My journey began at the age of 7 behind the wheel of a kart. This project embodies everything I’ve learnt in the quest to find the next generation’s superstar in Formula 1,” Russell is convinced.

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In the accompanying social media post, the 28-year-old emphasises: “I know how difficult it is for talented young drivers to get that first break, especially when budgets are tight. With the GR63 Academy, I want to give something back to my sport by discovering these hidden talents and giving them the support and guidance they need to fulfil their potential. Following the first two selection rounds at Silverstone, I will select 25 children who will be able to take part in the GR63 Academy in 2027. Many thanks to Silverstone and the BRDC for helping to make this possible.”

Lando Norris is also supporting young drivers

Russell is not the first Formula 1 driver in the current field of the premier class to dedicate himself to promoting young talent. At Monza, Lando Norris announced the launch of a junior programme through which the 2025 world champion aims to support the racing stars of the future.

Part of the McLaren star’s efforts includes not only the LN4 Fusion junior team, which competes in various formula racing categories right up to Formula 2. It also includes the ‘LN4 Legacy Programme’, a fully funded driver development programme run by ADD Management.