Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Driver Development Programme

  • Felbermayr returns with Audi

    Emma Felbermayr will contest her sophomore F1 Academy campaign, with the Austria racer representing Audi on the 2026 grid.

    Felbermayr is returning after finishing 10th in the Standings in a promising rookie season.
    Achieving six points scoring finishes, she delivered her maiden win in Montreal Race 2.

    She also competed in Spanish F4 and has made a three round appearance in the UAE4 Series in preparation for her second F1 Academy season.

    Inducted as the newest member of the Audi Driver Development Programme, she will benefit from the programme’s resources and expertise covering on track performance and driving and engineering development, through to human performance and media and marketing.

    The 19 year old will compete Rodin Motorsport’s lineup alongside McLaren’s Ella Lloyd and Ella Steven in the McLaren Oxagon car.

    Continuing in F1 ACADEMY and to now do so as an official Audi Revolut F1 Team driver is a huge honour. To be associated with a brand that has such an incredible motorsport history, and one that supported icons like Michèle Mouton and Rahel Frey, is truly inspiring. I am grateful for the trust being placed in me and can’t wait to sport the Audi colours on the grid, as I continue my journey in the series with Rodin Motorsport. My goal is to represent the brand with pride, build on what I learned last season, and fight for strong results.
    Felbermayr on the news.

    We are delighted to officially welcome Emma Felbermayr to the Audi Revolut F1 Team family. Her performance and dedication in her debut F1 ACADEMY season were impressive, and we see great potential for her future. Supporting female talent is a key priority for our F1 operations, and it is a source of pride for us to continue the legacy of strong female drivers who have succeeded with the Four Rings. We look forward to seeing Emma carry our colours on the grid in 2026.
    Allan McNish, Director of the Audi Driver Development Programme.

  • Audi sign Slater as first driver to their development programme

    Rising star Freddie Slater has become the first recruit of the Audi F1 Team’s new Driver Development Programme.

    The British racer will compete in F3 this season with Trident Motorsport, under the guidance of Audi’s new journey academy run by former F1 driver Allan McNish, following a stellar rise through the motorsport ranks.

    He followed up major championship wins in karting with the UAE and Italian F4 Championship titles. Last year, he won the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) in his rookie campaign.

    Audi say Slater’s signing reinforces their “strategic focus on youth and long-term planning, laying the foundation for a competitive team and aiming to cultivate the champions of tomorrow”.

    It’s an incredible honour to be the first driver selected for the Audi Driver Development Programme. Audi is a brand with a legendary motorsport history, and to have their trust and support at this crucial stage of my career is a dream come true. Joining forces with a respected team like Trident Motorsport for Formula 3 and having the backing of Audi Revolut F1 Team is a massive opportunity. I am fully focused on working hard and making the most of this pivotal step towards my goal of reaching Formula 1.
    Slater on the news.

    In Freddie, we see the immense potential of a future star. His track record is remarkable, but more importantly, he possesses the focus, determination, and willingness to learn that are essential for reaching the pinnacle of our sport. He is the ideal candidate to be the first signing of the Audi Driver Development Programme, and we are committed to providing him with the tools, mentorship, and support he needs to succeed as he steps up to Formula 3 with Trident Motorsport. This is the first step in building our future on and off the track.
    McNish added.

  • Audi announce Driver Development Programme

    Audi have announced the launch of their driver development programme ahead of the manufacturer’s first season as a works team in Formula 1, with the initiative set to be directed by former F1 driver Allan McNish.

    Identified as a key part of the team’s strategy to build a competitive Formula 1 team by investing in young talent on and off the track, the programme will scout and support promising young drivers from karting and junior formula series, providing a clear path to the top of motorsport.

    Members of the Driver Development Programme will receive world-class training and mentorship as part of bespoke programme, covering various aspects from on track performance and driving and engineering development, through to human performance and media and marketing.

    McNish brings a wealth of experience to his role with the programme. Along with his racing background – which includes an F1 stint with Toyota in 2002 and three 24 Hours of Le Mans victories – the Scot has worked in team management roles and has held a long-standing relationship with the Audi brand.

    To be entrusted with finding the cornerstones of the future Audi Revolut F1 Team is a great honour and a responsibility I am very passionate about. This brand is built on a history of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, and that philosophy must apply to our young drivers as much as to our cars. We are not just looking for raw speed; we are looking for the resilience, intelligence, and team-driven mindset that defines a future Audi champion. Our goal is to build a pathway that turns potential into precision and performance on the world stage. I am thrilled to begin this work and identify the first generation of talent to join this ambitious project.
    McNish on the news.

    Investing in the champions of tomorrow is a key pillar of our Formula 1 strategy. The Audi Driver Development Programme is a clear statement of our long-term commitment to youth and our ambition to be competitive. With Allan McNish, we have a director who not only has an incredible track record in motorsport but also embodies the spirit and dedication of our operations. Under his leadership, this programme will be integral to our vision for 2030, our goal of building a winning team and shaping the future of Audi in Formula 1.
    Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Audi.