George Russell launches fully-funded GR63 Karting Academy at Silverstone
Mercedes driver George Russell has announced a fully funded karting academy at Silverstone to help 25 young drivers bypass financial barriers.
George Russell has launched the GR63 Academy at Silverstone in partnership with the British Racing Drivers' Club. The programme will select 25 drivers for 2027 based on merit and cover all participation costs.
Key takeaways
- George Russell announced the GR63 Academy at Silverstone
- The programme is fully funded and covers all participation costs
- Twenty-five young drivers will join the academy for 2027
- Selection is based purely on merit, not budget
- The championship runs from March to November 2027
com reported. The Mercedes Formula 1 driver created the programme in partnership with Silverstone and the British Racing Drivers' Club to help talented young drivers bypass the financial barriers of karting.
Russell officially announced the launch of the grassroots karting initiative, which is explicitly designed to bypass the traditional pay-to-play model of junior motorsport and provide a legitimate, fully funded ladder for talented kids.
Motorsport has an alarming financial barrier to entry, with seasons of junior karting frequently running deep into the six figures. Russell wrote in his announcement that karting is where it all started for him and has played an essential role in his career.
He also knows how difficult it is for talented young drivers to get their first opportunity, especially when budgets are limited.
With the GR63 Academy, he wants to give back to his sport what it has given him by spotting hidden talent and offering them the support and guidance they need to reach their full potential.
Selection process
The selection process for the inaugural 2027 season is based purely on merit, not budget. The programme will operate in distinct stages based at the Silverstone karting circuit. Stage 1 runs in December 2026, with open-access arrive-and-drive qualifying sessions from 6 December to 31 December.
Stage 2 takes place in January 2027, when the 80 fastest drivers from the initial qualifying stage advance to a shootout on 31 January 2027. Stage 3 is the championship itself.
Following the first two rounds at Silverstone, Russell will select 25 young drivers to join the GR63 Academy in 2027. These 25 kids will compete in an eight-round karting series running from March to November 2027.
Support and evaluation
The academy will cover all participation costs for the 25 selected drivers, providing them with a complete set of racing equipment, including overalls, a helmet, boots, and gloves. Each round of the championship will take place on a different circuit configuration at Silverstone.
Throughout the eight-round championship, drivers will be evaluated on racecraft, raw lap times, fitness, and media skills. Russell will actively participate as a mentor, guiding the young talent through the rigorous development process.
What happens next
The programme concludes in December 2027, when the top five finishers from the championship will face off in a final race at Silverstone. The overall winner of the GR63 Academy will be rewarded with a fully funded karting season.
GR63 Academy 2027 schedule
Stage | Date | Detail |
|---|---|---|
Qualifying | 6–31 December 2026 | Open-access arrive-and-drive sessions |
Shootout | 31 January 2027 | 80 fastest drivers advance |
Championship | March–November 2027 | Eight rounds at Silverstone |
Final | December 2027 | Top five finishers race |
Related on Apex Sports News
George Russell credits Toto Wolff's loyalty for Mercedes' F1 title return
F1 Academy to make Budapest debut as 2027 calendar confirmed
Sources
Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy or use the flag button above. Our editorial standards explain how we report.
Related stories
Discussion
Sign in or create a free account to join the discussion. Please follow our community guidelines.