11 racing drivers assigned to important FIA role

Eleven professional racing drivers from across the motorsport spectrum have been appointed as ambassadors for the 2026 FIA Smart Driving Challenge, the global initiative that rewards safe and sustainable driving practices.

The ambassadors will lead teams of everyday drivers through the FIA Smart Driving Challenge app, providing exclusive content, insights, and expertise to help participants climb the global leaderboard whilst improving road safety and reducing environmental impact. 

Team members will gain access to performance statistics and guidance from their chosen ambassador through both the app and social media platforms.

The diverse lineup spans multiple FIA World Championships and includes Yifei Ye from the World Endurance Championship, Formula E's Edoardo Mortara, World Rally Championship drivers Yohan Rossel, Taylor Gill, and Romet Jürgenson, plus World Rally-Raid Championship competitor Aliyyah Koloc. 

The group is completed by racing driver and content creator Hana Burton, DTM and GT specialist Kelvin van der Linde, World Endurance Championship's Malthe Jakobsen, rally ace Kajetan Kajetanowicz, and INDY NXT driver Tymek Kucharczyk.

Now in its eighth year, the challenge uses Greater Than's artificial intelligence technology to measure driving performance via smartphone connectivity to vehicles. Participants simply download the app, connect via Bluetooth, and receive real-time feedback on their safety and sustainability scores.

"The FIA Smart Driving Challenge is unique in uniting everyday drivers with leading figures from the world of motor sport to help deliver safer, more sustainable mobility worldwide," said Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism. 

“By combining the latest AI technology with the expertise of elite drivers, this challenge is empowering individuals to turn small changes behind the wheel into a big difference on the road."

Last season saw drivers from 97 countries participate, achieving an average reduction in battery usage or CO2 emissions of 9 per cent, with the winning driver managing almost 30 per cent. Participants also demonstrated a 37.5 per cent lower risk level compared to average drivers.

The 2026 challenge runs until December, featuring seven heats before the top 20 drivers advance to playoffs. Two finalists will compete in a live head-to-head finale for the title of World's Smartest Driver.