Why it was George Russell’s ‘dream’ to launch affordable karting academy

George Russell has launched his new GR63 Academy, an affordable way for youngsters to get their first start in racing.

Based at Silverstone, it’s a multi-round knockout format that will see the winner - aged between 8 or 9 - get a fully funded season of karting.

This is the realisation of a long-term ambition for Russell, as he explained recently, to make racing more accessible and less of an elitist sport only available to the super-rich.

George Russell on the reasons for launching his karting academy.

The GR63 Academy, which is based at the karting track within Silverstone, the home of the British grand prix, has now been announced and is set to kick-off in December.

A competition which culminates in the prize of a fully-funded season in karting - a huge financial commitment even at that junior level - a single entry costs just £25.

Initial practice sessions will be run throughout December, with 80 drivers selected to progress..

In January, these 80 drivers will then take part in timed practice sessions and qualifying races to decide who should make it to the championship proper. Entry for this stage costs £75 each, but thereon in the process for entrants.

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25 drivers will be selected from that 80 for an eight-round championship which will run from March to November.

The top five drivers from that championship will then be assessed on “talent, lap times, fitness, race craft and media skills”, with one winner selected.

The lucky racer will be supported by the British Racing Drivers Club and get a fully funded season in karting.

“My journey all began behind the wheel of a kart at the age of 7,” says Russell. “This project embodies everything I've learnt to find F1's next-generation superstar.”

The reasons behind George Russell’s GR63 karting academy

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George Russell has now become one of F1’s leading lights, but he frequently refers to the fact that, such are the financial demands caused by constant inflation of costs, in today’s circumstances he would have not been able to progress up the junior ladder.

In a Player’s Tribune article last year, Russell explained the sacrifices his father made so he could afford to race.

“My father worked in agriculture and ran his own business," he said. "He was working all day every day in order to support my racing dreams.

“He was gone to work before I woke up, and by the time he was back I was usually in bed.

“So whenever we weren’t at the track on the weekends, I was always kind of in my head wondering, ‘Where is my dad?’”

The sacrifice paid off, Russell famously persuading Toto Wolff to sign him up to the Mercedes Junior by presenting him with a powerpoint presentation at the age of 16.

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Now though, Russell says he wouldn’t have had the money to even make it to the Austrian’s office - and this is the reason he started the academy.

“I think a dream of mine for the future of karting is to see it become even more accessible to so many more people, because it's no secret that the cost of karting is, I think for all of us, something we were very lucky with,” he said at last month’s US GP.

“We grew up in a time where it was still expensive, but it was more affordable. Now things are getting slightly out of control.

“With how big Formula 1 is, I would love to see karting become as accessible as going to your local park to kick a football around, just giving everybody that opportunity to feel the thrill of speed, the air brushing through your race suit and helmet. Yes, there's nothing like it.”

He would also describe how karting was the gateway to his passion for F1.

“For sure, karting is the purest form of racing,” he said. “I remember waking up and the first thing I'd get changed into would be my race suit, and I'd even put my rib protector on at breakfast.

“I was just so excited to go racing.”

Now Russell is giving the other the chance to get the same thrills he did, and maybe even realise their dream of Formula 1.

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