As The Race reports, Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell is tackling motorsport's steepest barrier head-on by launching a brand new karting academy at Silverstone. The initiative, named the GR63 Karting Academy, aims to forge the next generation of racing talent by offering 25 young drivers a fully funded championship opportunity in 2027.
Open to boys and girls aged eight and nine who are citizens of a Commonwealth country, the programme is specifically designed to bypass the brutal financial demands that lock so many fast kids out of the sport. Russell, who knows the climb all too well, wants to ensure raw speed matters more than a heavy wallet. "Karting is where it all started for me, and it taught me everything I've relied on throughout my career," Russell said. "I know how hard it is for talented young drivers to get that first opportunity, especially when budgets are tight."
The GR63 Academy captures that ethos perfectly, and we are delighted to work with George to support the next generation of drivers here at Silverstone,
Based right at Silverstone's karting circuit, the road to a fully funded seat is structured across four demanding stages. It all kicks off with open-access arrive-and-drive qualifying sessions running from December 6 to 31, 2026, costing £25 to enter. The 80 fastest drivers from those sessions will advance to a shootout on January 31, 2027, which carries a £75 entry fee. From there, the final cut is made, leaving 25 chosen youngsters.
Those 25 drivers will secure a spot in the GR63 Championship, an eight-round series running from March to November 2027 across various circuit configurations at Silverstone. Best of all? Every single participation cost from this stage onward is completely covered by the academy. Selected drivers will also be handed a full set of academy equipment, including a helmet, racing overalls, boots, and gloves.
The entire programme builds toward a December 2027 grand finale, where the championship's top five finishers go head-to-head in one final race at Silverstone. Competitors will be judged on lap times, talent, racecraft, fitness, and even media skills. The ultimate prize for the overall winner is a fully-funded karting season in 2028, with Russell himself stepping in to mentor and guide the participants along the way.
Backing the project are Silverstone and the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC). BRDC president David Coulthard voiced his full support for the venture and what it means for the local motorsport landscape. "The GR63 Academy captures that ethos perfectly, and we are delighted to work with George to support the next generation of drivers here at Silverstone," said Coulthard.
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