George Russell has stated he wants to “give something back” with the launch of his own karting academy at Silverstone.
The GR63 Karting Academy is based at Kart Silverstone, and is open to boys and girls aged eight and nine. 25 will be fully funded, with an entry cost to its qualifiers reaching just £25.
Russell’s scheme follows the LN4 Legacy Programme, which 2025 World Champion Lando Norris launched in September.
Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley has also co-led an additional initiative – the FAT Karting League – that sees a pathway starting with electric karts towards a funded single-seater seat.
For Russell, it’s a way to give kids an opportunity to find a way into motorsport similiar to the way he did himself.
“Karting is where it all started for me and it taught me everything I’ve relied on throughout my career,” he said.
“I know how hard it is for talented young drivers to get that first opportunity, especially when budgets are tight.
“With the GR63 Karting Academy, I want to give something back by finding those hidden talents and giving them the support and platform they need to reach their potential.
“I’m really grateful to Silverstone and the British Racing Drivers’ Club for helping make this happen.”
Selection has four stages: Open arrive-and-drive qualifiers run at Silverstone throughout December, and the best 80 drivers go through to the GR63 Shootout in January 2027. Russell then chooses 25 drivers for the GR63 Championship, a fully funded eight-round season at Kart Silverstone from March to November.
The top five in the championship will meet in a final assessment at Silverstone in December 2027. The winner will receive a fully funded karting season in 2028.
David Coulthard, the former McLaren and Red Bull driver who is now president of the BRDC, said the academy reflected the club’s purpose.
“As owners of Silverstone and guardians of British motorsport, the BRDC has always been committed to reinvesting in the sport and nurturing home-grown talent,” Coulthard said.
Russell returns to the cockpit next week in Las Vegas, hoping to kickstart a quest to finish P2 in the championship, with teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli having sewn-up the Drivers’ title, and Mercedes winning the Constructors’ crown.
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