F1 Test Academy

fantastic idea that Anthony has and will certainly be beneficial for young talent

Carol

autosport

Anthony Hamilton is planning to run a fleet of 2009-spec Formula 1 cars in an effort to help young drivers gain mileage in current grand prix cars without being constrained by the testing restrictions, today's AUTOSPORT reveals.

The father of 2008 world champion Lewis, Hamilton intends to lease year-old cars, along with equipment and personnel, from teams and run them independently in a programme called the GP Prep Drivers Academy.

He has already agreed terms with McLaren for the supply of two cars, and is in advanced talks with other teams.

Hamilton said that the idea was to give young drivers who would otherwise not get a chance to test an F1 car a chance to prove their potential.

"If you look at our sport. drivers are very lucky to make F1, because there's no career path structure for it," Hamilton told AUTOSPORT.

"There are guys who don't get a look in. The idea with GP Prep is to provide more of an opportunity for young drivers to be spotted."

Costs are still being determined, although it is expected that a day's testing will require a similar budget to a weekend of racing in a high-level open-wheeler.

Deals are also being finalised with circuits, although it is anticipated that most running will take place in the UK. The programme is expected to be launched in March.

 

Great idea, but... Anthony Hamilton?

 

Anything to make some money off his son's connections.

Mark

 

I see this as being a flop. There are plenty of development series out there to allow young drivers develop there skills to get up to speed for F-1 racing

 

+1, maybe it will keep him and JB's dad seperated! LOL

 

I think it might very well be a success if it was a joint effort of the F1 teams. With Anthony Hamilton and a bunch of mechanics who don't find "real" jobs in F1, not so much.

 

I think it is a great idea, makes no odds to me who's idea it is, However LH ect must be a inspiration to alot of young guys and F1 needs young blood the ban on testing is making the job even harder for new guys as we have seen, the test drivers can't even cope.

Good on him IMO.

 

+1

As long as Ant' doesn't try and drive [Remember the Carrera he crashed a while back? ]

Done "right" (and, as Florian noted, I'm not sure he's the right guy), it could be a nice way round the testing ban - I suspect it may turn into a "rich kids playground" however.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Yes total embarrassment that carrera , rich kids maybe, but I think it is nice he is thinking that way, and trying to do a bit on the back of his sons success, in the right direction.

 

+1

 

+2 It'll be interesting to see how it goes. I for one wish him the best. [Even though his son drives for the evil empire ]