View source for Driver development program

{{short description|System designed for young racing drivers to perfect their racing skills}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2025}}
{{about|driver development programs across all auto racing series|the NASCAR program formerly known as Drive for Diversity|NASCAR Driver Development Program}}
A '''driver development program''',{{efn|{{langx|en-gb|driver development programme}}}} also known as a '''driver development team''' or '''driver academy''', is a system or structure designed to identify and develop talent in [[auto racing]]. Programs are typically offered to drivers aged 12 to 25 in junior racing categories—such as [[kart racing]] and [[formula racing|lower formulae]]—with the aim of progressing to top-level motorsport series, often devised by racing teams, external companies and sponsors.

Driver development programs involve the scouting, signing and training of driver talent around the world. Racing teams will typically sign young drivers with the intention of eventually graduating them to a senior category with the organisation, such as [[Formula One]], [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] or [[NASCAR]]. Many teams sign drivers to multi-year contracts, in which they assist in funding their careers in junior formulae—such as [[kart racing]], [[Formula Three]] and [[Formula Two]] in [[open-wheel racing]], as well as [[late model]]s and [[Auto Racing Club of America|ARCA]] in [[stock car racing]]—to develop their talent and experience. Such contracts may also serve to prevent driver talent from being [[Employee poaching|poached]]. Many programs now employ a wide range of coaching methods and technologies to train all of the physical and psychological attributes required in high-level motorsport, including [[full motion racing simulator]]s and [[psychotherapy]]. 

Some programs have been criticized for offering long-term, low-paying contracts, whilst occasionally charging additional fees for the use of their facilities and technologies. Companies that specialise in driver training and related programs remain commercially viable through such fees, and typically do not financially support junior careers. Investment in a driver may also be recouped via a share of earnings from wages and brand deals.

==Open-wheel racing==
===Formula One===
{{seealso|Formula One}}
{{multiple image
| width     = 200
| direction = vertical
| image1    = McLaren Hamilton 2008 Spanish GP (cropped).jpg
| alt1      = Lewis Hamilton driving the McLaren MP4-23 (2008)
| image2    = RB6inSuzuka (cropped) (cropped).jpg
| alt2      = Sebastian Vettel driving the Red Bull RB6 (2010)
| image3    = 2021 British Grand Prix (51349530573) (cropped).jpg
| alt3      = Max Verstappen driving the Red Bull RB16B (2021)
| image4    = 
| alt4      = 
| footer    = Three graduates of driver development programs have won the [[World Drivers' Championship]]: [[Lewis Hamilton]] of [[McLaren Driver Development Programme|McLaren]] ({{F1|2008}}), [[Sebastian Vettel]] of [[Red Bull Junior Team|Red Bull]] ({{F1|2010}}), and [[Max Verstappen]] ({{F1|2021}}) of Red Bull
}}
In 1998, [[McLaren]] became the first Formula One team to establish a driver development program, founding the [[McLaren Driver Development Programme|McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Support Programme]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dive-bomb.com/article/f1-driver-development-programmes-mclaren-young-driver-programme|title=F1 Driver Development Programmes: McLaren Young Driver Programme|date=3 September 2021|access-date=23 November 2024|website=Divebomb|first1=Daniel|last1=Yi|first2=Harshi|last2=Vashee}}</ref> its initial cohort famously included 13-year-old [[kart racer]] [[Lewis Hamilton]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pitpass.com/29266/McLaren-and-Mercedes-delighted-with-Hamilton-title-win|title=McLaren and Mercedes delighted with Hamilton title win|date=10 September 2006|access-date=23 November 2024|website=Pitpass.com|first=|last=}}</ref> who became the first driver development program alumnus in Formula One to win the [[World Drivers' Championship]] in {{F1|2008}}.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-2012/78/2008-lewis-hamilton/|title=2008: Lewis Hamilton|date=August 2012|access-date=23 November 2024|magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|first=Ed|last=Foster}}</ref> The [[Red Bull Junior Team]] have graduated 15 members—and two former members—to Formula One, noted for their use of [[RB Formula One Team|a second team]] to promote junior talent under the wing of [[Helmut Marko]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/exclusive-inside-rbs-growth-from-second-string-junior-team-to-red-bulls-brother/10646050/|title=Exclusive: Inside RB's growth from second-string junior team to Red Bull's 'brother'|date=21 August 2024|access-date=23 November 2024|website=[[Autosport]]|first1=Jake|last1=Boxall-Legge|first2=Filip|last2=Cleeren}}</ref> As of 2024, Red Bull have coached two World Drivers' Champions, both winning their titles with [[Red Bull Racing]]: [[Sebastian Vettel]] and [[Max Verstappen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/212346/marko-red-bull-junior-team-verstappen-and-vettel-f1.html|title=How Red Bull prepare young drivers like Verstappen and Vettel for F1|date=12 June 2023|access-date=23 November 2024|website=GPBlog|first=Tim|last=Kraaij}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="font-size: 90%"
|+
!Driver program
!Team
!{{abbr|Est|Established}}
!Selected Driver(s){{efn|Drivers who have graduated to [[Formula One]] ''as members of the program'', as of {{F1|2024}}. '''Bold''' indicates a [[World Drivers' Championship|World Drivers' Champion]].}}
|-
|[[Alpine Academy]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Alpine F1 Team|Alpine]]
|align=center|2002
|{{plainlist|
<!--TIAGO MONTEIRO DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2002-->
<!--ROBERT KUBICA DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2002-->
* {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Heikki Kovalainen]] ({{F1|2007}})
* {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Romain Grosjean]] ({{F1|2009}})
<!--LUCAS DI GRASSI DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2007-->
<!--PASTOR MALDONADO DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2005-->
<!--JEROME d'AMBROSIO DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2010-->
<!--CHARLES PIC DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2009-->
<!--GIEDO VAN DER GARDE DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2004-->
<!--ESTEBAN OCON DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2014-->
<!--ALEX ALBON DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2015-->
<!--JACK AITKEN DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2018-->
<!--ZHOU GUANYU DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2021-->
<!--OSCAR PIASTRI DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPINE ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2022-->
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jack Doohan]] ({{F1|2024}})
}}
|-
|[[AMF1 Driver Development Programme]]
|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Aston Martin in Formula One|Aston Martin]]
|align=center|2021
|{{plainlist|
* ''None''
}}
|-
|[[Ferrari Driver Academy]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
|align=center|2009
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Sergio Pérez]] ({{F1|2011}})
* {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Jules Bianchi]] ({{F1|2013}})
<!--LANCE STROLL DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE FERRARI DRIVER ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2015-->
* {{flagicon|MON}} [[Charles Leclerc]] ({{F1|2018}})
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Mick Schumacher]] ({{F1|2021}})
<!--ZHOU GUANYU DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE FERRARI DRIVER ACADEMY, HE LEFT IN 2018-->
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Oliver Bearman]] ({{F1|2024}})
}}
|-
|[[Haas F1 Team#Driver development program|Haas Driver Development Program]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Haas F1 Team|Haas]]
|align=center|2016
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Pietro Fittipaldi]] ({{F1|2020}})
}}
|-
|{{ill|Honda Formula Dream Project|ja|フォーミュラ・ドリーム}}
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|JPN}} ''[[Honda in Formula One|Honda]]''
* {{nowrap|{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]]{{efn|As an engine supplier.|name="ES"}}}}
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Racing Bulls]]{{efn|name="ES"}}
}}
|align=center|2006
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yuki Tsunoda]] ({{F1|2021}}){{efn|Also a member of the [[Red Bull Junior Team]].}}
}}
|-
|[[McLaren Driver Development Programme]]
|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[McLaren]]
|align=center|1998
|{{plainlist|
<!--RICARDO ZONTA DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE McLAREN PROGRAMME, HE LEFT IN 1998-->
<!--NICK HEIDFELD DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE McLAREN PROGRAMME, HE LEFT IN 1999-->
* {{flagicon|GBR}} '''[[Lewis Hamilton]]''' ({{F1|2007}})
<!--GIEDO VAN DER GARDE DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE McLAREN PROGRAMME, HE LEFT IN 2006-->
* {{flagicon|DNK}} [[Kevin Magnussen]] ({{F1|2014}})
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Stoffel Vandoorne]] ({{F1|2016}})
<!--ALEX ALBON DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE McLAREN PROGRAMME, HE LEFT IN 2010-->
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Lando Norris]] ({{F1|2019}})
<!--NYCK DE VRIES DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE McLAREN PROGRAMME, HE LEFT IN 2018-->
<!--GABRIEL BORTOLETO DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE McLAREN PROGRAMME, HE LEFT IN 2024-->
}}
|-
|[[Mercedes Junior Team]]
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]]
|align=center|2014
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Pascal Wehrlein]] ({{F1|2016}})
* {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Esteban Ocon]] ({{F1|2016}})
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[George Russell (racing driver)|George Russell]] ({{F1|2019}})
* {{nowrap|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Andrea Kimi Antonelli]] ({{F1|2025}})}}
}}
|-
|[[Red Bull Junior Team]]
|{{nowrap|{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]]}}<br>{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Racing Bulls]]
|align=center|2001
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Christian Klien]] ({{F1|2004}})
<!--PATRICK FRIESACHER DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM, HE LEFT IN 2003-->
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Vitantonio Liuzzi]] ({{F1|2005}})
<!--NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM, HE LEFT IN 2004-->
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Speed]] ({{F1|2006}})
* {{flagicon|GER}} '''[[Sebastian Vettel]]''' ({{F1|2007}})
* {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Sébastien Buemi]] ({{F1|2009}})
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Jaime Alguersuari]] ({{F1|2009}})
<!--KARUN CHANDHOK DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM, HE LEFT IN 2008-->
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Daniel Ricciardo]] ({{F1|2011}})
* {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Jean-Éric Vergne]] ({{F1|2012}})
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Daniil Kvyat]] ({{F1|2014}})
* {{flagicon|NED}} '''[[Max Verstappen]]''' ({{F1|2015}})
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Carlos Sainz Jr.]] ({{F1|2015}})
<!--BRENDON HARTLEY DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM, HE LEFT IN 2010-->
* {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Pierre Gasly]] ({{F1|2017}})
<!--ALEX ALBON DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM, HE LEFT IN 2012-->
* {{flagicon|JAP}} [[Yuki Tsunoda]] ({{F1|2021}}){{efn|Also a member of the {{ill|Honda Formula Dream Project|ja|フォーミュラ・ドリーム}}.}}
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Liam Lawson]] ({{F1|2023}})
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Isack Hadjar]] ({{F1|2025}})
<!--JACK DOOHAN DID NOT GRADUATE AS A MEMBER OF THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM, HE LEFT IN 2021-->
}}
|-
|[[Sauber Academy]]
|{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Sauber Motorsport|Sauber]]
|align=center|2019
|{{plainlist|
* ''None''
}}
|-
|[[Williams Driver Academy]]
|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Williams Racing|Williams]]
|align=center|2016
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Lance Stroll]] ({{F1|2017}})
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Nicholas Latifi]] ({{F1|2020}})
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Jack Aitken]] ({{F1|2020}})
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Logan Sargeant]] ({{F1|2023}})
* {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Franco Colapinto]] ({{F1|2024}})
}}
|-
!colspan=4|''Former teams''
|-
|[[Caterham F1#Driver development programme|Caterham Development Driver Program]]
|{{flagicon|MYS}} [[Caterham F1|Caterham]]
|align=center|2012–2014
|{{plainlist|
* {{nowrap|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Giedo van der Garde]] ({{F1|2013}})}}
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Will Stevens]] ({{F1|2014}})
}}
|-
|[[Force India#Driver development programme|Force India F1 Team Academy]]
|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Force India]]
|align=center|2011–2018
|{{plainlist|
* ''None''
}}
|-
|[[Marussia F1 Team#Driver development programme|Marussia F1 Team Young Driver Program]]
|{{flagicon|RUS}} {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Marussia F1|Marussia]]
|align=center|2012–2015
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Max Chilton]] ({{F1|2013}})
}}
|-
|[[Team Lotus (2010–2011)#Driver development programme|Team Lotus Young Drivers Scheme]]
|{{flagicon|MYS}} [[Team Lotus (2010–2011)|Team Lotus]]
|align=center|2010–2011
|{{plainlist|
* ''None''
}}
|-
|[[TGR Driver Challenge Program|Toyota Young Drivers Programme]]
|{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Toyota in Formula One|Toyota]]<br>{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Williams Racing|Williams]]{{efn|name="ES"}}
|align=center|{{nowrap|2001–2009}}
|{{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuki Nakajima]] ({{F1|2007}})
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kamui Kobayashi]] ({{F1|2009}})
}}
|}

===IndyCar Series===
{{seealso|IndyCar Series}}
* [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Global]] – [[Lochie Hughes]], [[Salvador de Alba]], [[Dennis Hauger]], [[James Roe Jr.]], [[Ricardo Escotto]], [[Sebastian Murray]] (all [[2025 Indy NXT|Indy NXT]]), Oliver Wheldon (Skip Barber Formula Race Series), Sebastian Wheldon ([[2025 Italian F4 Championship|Italian F4 Championship]])
* [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] – [[Jonathan Browne (racing driver)|Jonathan Browne]], [[Niels Koolen]] (both [[2025 Indy NXT|Indy NXT]]), Jett Bowling, Nicolas Stati (both [[2025 Formula Regional Oceania Championship|Formula Regional Oceania Championship]])
* [[Ed Carpenter Racing]] – [[Josh Pierson]] ([[2025 Indy NXT|Indy NXT]])
* [[Juncos Hollinger Racing]] – Miguel María García ([[2024 Indy NXT|Indy NXT]])
* [[Team Penske]] – [[Myles Rowe]] ([[2025 Indy NXT|Indy NXT]])

===Super Formula===
{{seealso|Super Formula}}
* [[Honda in motorsport#Honda Formula Dream Project|Honda Formula Dream Project]]
* [[TGR Driver Challenge Program]]

==Stock car racing==
===NASCAR===
{{seealso|NASCAR}}
All of these teams have their own developmental driver programs and/or field cars/trucks on their team for developmental drivers.

{{div col}}
* [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
** [[Rajah Caruth]]
** [[Corey Day]]<ref>https://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/138540/corey-day-signs-hendrick-motorsports-xfinity-truck-arca-races-2025</ref>

* [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]<ref name="https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers"> https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers</ref>
** [[William Sawalich]]
** [[Brandon Jones (racing driver)|Brandon Jones]]
** [[Taylor Gray (racing driver)|Taylor Gray]]
** [[Max Reaves]] 
** [[Ryan Truex]]

* [[Trackhouse Racing]] 
** [[Connor Zilisch]]<ref>https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/01/11/trackhouse-racing-connor-zilisch-multiyear-agreement/</ref>

* [[Richard Childress Racing]] 
** [[Jesse Love]]
** [[Austin Hill]]

* [[23XI Racing]]<ref name="https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers"> https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers</ref>
** [[Corey Heim]]

* [[Haas Factory Team]] (also part of [[Ford Performance]])
** [[Sheldon Creed]]
** [[Sam Mayer]]

* [[JR Motorsports]] 
** [[Carson Kvapil]]
** [[Sammy Smith]]
** [[Connor Hall (racing driver)|Connor Hall]]
** Caden Kvapil
** Wyatt Miller

* [[Kaulig Racing]]
** [[Daniel Dye]]
** [[Christian Eckes]]
** [[Josh Williams (racing driver)|Josh Williams]]

* [[Sam Hunt Racing]]
** [[Dean Thompson]]

* [[TRICON Garage]] (also part of [[Toyota]])<ref name="https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers"> https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers</ref>
** [[Toni Breidinger]]
** [[Corey Heim]]
** [[Tanner Gray]]
** [[Gio Ruggiero]]

* [[ThorSport Racing]] (also part of [[Ford Performance]])
** [[Jake Garcia]]
** [[Cam Waters]]
** [[Luke Baldwin (racing driver)|Luke Baldwin]]
** [[Grant Enfinger]]
** [[Ben Rhodes (racing driver)|Ben Rhodes]]

* [[Niece Motorsports]]
** [[Matt Mills]]
** [[Bayley Currey]]
** [[Matt Gould (racing driver)|Matt Gould]]
** [[Kaden Honeycutt]]

* [[Toyota Gazoo Racing]]<ref name="https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers"> https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers</ref>
** [[Lawless Alan]]
** [[Isabella Robusto]]
** [[Brent Crews]]
** [[Thomas Annunziata]]
** [[Treyten Lapcevich]]
** Jade Avedisian
** [[Gavan Boschele]]
** George Phillips
** [[Taylor Reimer]]

* [[Pinnacle Racing Group]] (also part of [[Chevrolet]])
** [[Brenden Queen]]
** [[Austin Green]]
** [[Connor Mosack]]

* [[Kyle Busch Motorsports]]
** Brexton Busch

* [[Kevin Harvick Incorporated]]
** Keelan Harvick

* Team Hornaday Development<ref>https://www.teamhornadaydevelopment.com/our-development-drivers</ref>
** [[Landen Lewis]]
** [[Dawson Sutton]]
** [[Isaac Kitzmiller]]
** Sylas Ripley
** Hudson Bulger
** Eli Black
** Josh Dickens
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==See also==
* [[Drive for Diversity]]
* [[Drivers Edge Development]]
* [[Porsche Junioren]]
* [https://www.worldspeed.com/vmb VMB Driver Development]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Motorsport terminology]]
[[Category:Racing schools| ]]
[[Category:Driver's education]]