Alonso highlights importance of his young driver programme

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has signalled the importance of his young driver management programme.

Alonso launched 'A14 Management' in 2022 as he looked to offer guidance to a series of young drivers on their path through the motorsport ladder.

The project launched with Clement Novalak and Nikola Tsolov, however further names have since been added, including Gabriel Bortoleto.

Bortoleto enjoyed a highly successful 2023 campaign as he won the FIA Formula 3 Championship in his rookie year before signing with McLaren's young driver scheme.

Bortoleto will step up to Formula 2 this year, as will Red Bull junior and fellow A14 member Pepe Marti, while Tsolov will compete for a second season in F3.

The programme has a number of other drivers scattered across various motorsport disciplines.

Alonso satisfied

With the programme now being in operation for a handful of years, Alonso asserted that he is pleased with the progress to date.

"It is important because I see a lot of drivers now with this passion that I had when I was young,” Alonso told media including RacingNews365.

“They are just lacking a little bit of knowledge of how this world works and what is important, what is not important, what they will give you good things in the future and what things are just stressing.

“To see the Formula 4, Formula 3 guys with so much talent and preparation, now they have these simulators at home.

“They have these young driver academies in Formula 1 teams, etc. They just need two or three guidances and directions that will help them long term into the motorsport world.

“So I'm happy to do it. And I feel the satisfaction of everyone that we are in the project.”