{{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 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 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 models and ARCA in stock car racing—to develop their talent and experience. Such contracts may also serve to prevent driver talent from being 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 simulators 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 = 2025 Japan GP - McLaren - Lando Norris - FP1 (cropped).jpg | alt4 = Lando Norris driving the McLaren MCL39 (2025) | footer = Four graduates of driver development programs have won the World Drivers' Championship: Lewis Hamilton of McLaren ({{F1|2008}}), Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull ({{F1|2010}}), Max Verstappen of Red Bull ({{F1|2021}}), and Lando Norris of McLaren ({{F1|2025}}). }} In 1998, McLaren became the first Formula One team to establish a driver development program, founding the 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|first=Ed|last=Foster}}</ref> The Red Bull Junior Team have graduated 16 members—and two former members—to Formula One, noted for their use of 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|2026}}. '''Bold''' indicates a World Drivers' Champion.}} |- |Alpine Academy |{{flagicon|FRA}} 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 |align=center|2021 |{{plainlist| * ''None'' }} |- |Audi Driver Development Programme |{{flagicon|DEU}} Audi |align=center|2026 |{{plainlist| * ''None'' }} |- |Ferrari Driver Academy |{{flagicon|ITA}} 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 Driver Development Program |{{flagicon|USA}} 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'' * {{nowrap|{{flagicon|GBR}} Aston Martin{{efn|As an engine supplier.|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 |align=center|2014 |{{plainlist| * {{flagicon|GER}} Pascal Wehrlein ({{F1|2016}}) * {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} Esteban Ocon ({{F1|2016}}) * {{flagicon|GBR}} George Russell ({{F1|2019}}) * {{nowrap|{{flagicon|ITA}} Kimi Antonelli ({{F1|2025}})}} }} |- |Red Bull Junior Team |{{nowrap|{{flagicon|AUT}} 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--> * {{flagicon|GBR}} Arvid Lindblad ({{F1|2026}}) }} |- |Williams Driver Academy |{{flagicon|GBR}} 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 Development Driver Program |{{flagicon|MYS}} Caterham |align=center|2012–2014 |{{plainlist| * {{nowrap|{{flagicon|NED}} Giedo van der Garde ({{F1|2013}})}} * {{flagicon|GBR}} Will Stevens ({{F1|2014}}) }} |- |Force India F1 Team Academy |{{flagicon|IND}} Force India |align=center|2011–2018 |{{plainlist| * ''None'' }} |- |Marussia F1 Team Young Driver Program |{{flagicon|RUS}} {{flagicon|GBR}} Marussia |align=center|2012–2015 |{{plainlist| * {{flagicon|GBR}} Max Chilton ({{F1|2013}}) }} |- |Sauber Academy |{{flagicon|SUI}} Sauber |align=center|2019–2025 |''None'' |- |Team Lotus Young Drivers Scheme |{{flagicon|MYS}} Team Lotus |align=center|2010–2011 |{{plainlist| * ''None'' }} |- |Toyota Young Drivers Programme |{{flagicon|JPN}} Toyota<br>{{flagicon|GBR}} 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 Global – Lochie Hughes, Salvador de Alba, Dennis Hauger, James Roe Jr., Ricardo Escotto, Sebastian Murray (all Indy NXT), Oliver Wheldon (Skip Barber Formula Race Series), Sebastian Wheldon (Italian F4 Championship) * Chip Ganassi Racing – Jonathan Browne, Niels Koolen (both Indy NXT), Jett Bowling, Nicolas Stati (both Formula Regional Oceania Championship) * Ed Carpenter Racing – Josh Pierson (Indy NXT) * Juncos Hollinger Racing – Miguel María García (Indy NXT) * Team Penske – Myles Rowe (Indy NXT)
===Super Formula=== {{seealso|Super Formula}} * 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}} * 23XI Racing ** Corey Heim<ref>https://www.23xiracing.com/post/23xi-racing-development-driver-corey-heim-set-for-expanded-nascar-cup-series-schedule-in-2026</ref>
* Chevrolet ** Lanie Buice<ref>https://www.pinnacleracinggroup.com/lanie-buice/</ref> ** Andrés Pérez de Lara<ref>https://frontstretch.com/2025/08/11/andres-perez-moving-niece-rest-2025/</ref>
* Joe Gibbs Racing<ref>https://www.joegibbsracing.com/news/2026/january/27/joe-gibbs-racing-celebrating-35th-anniversary-in-2026</ref> ** Max Reaves<ref>https://www.joegibbsracing.com/news/2024/february/13/joe-gibbs-racing-signs-max-reaves-as-development-driver</ref>
* Hendrick Motorsports ** Corey Day<ref>https://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/138540/corey-day-signs-hendrick-motorsports-xfinity-truck-arca-races-2025</ref>
* Richard Childress Racing ** Carson Brown<ref>https://www.on3.com/pro/news/richard-childress-racing-signs-carson-brown-to-nascar-development-deal/</ref>
* Spire Motorsports ** Tristan McKee<ref>https://www.pinnacleracinggroup.com/tristan-mckee/</ref>
* Toyota Racing<ref name="https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers"> https://www.toyota.com/racing/drivers</ref> ** Jade Avedisian ** Harrison Burton ** Brent Crews ** Taylor Gray ** Keelan Harvick ** Kaden Honeycutt ** Isabella Robusto ** Gio Ruggiero ** William Sawalich
{{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