Hamilton Senior launches F1 test academy
Hamilton Senior launches F1 test academy
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Wanta996Gotta

Original Poster:

5,622 posts

236 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
Anthony Hamilton is planning to run a fleet of 2009-spec Formula 1 cars in an effort to help young drivers gain mileage in current grand prix cars without being constrained by the testing restrictions, today's AUTOSPORT reveals.

The father of 2008 world champion Lewis, Hamilton intends to lease year-old cars, along with equipment and personnel, from teams and run them independently in a programme called the GP Prep Drivers Academy.

He has already agreed terms with McLaren for the supply of two cars, and is in advanced talks with other teams.

Hamilton said that the idea was to give young drivers who would otherwise not get a chance to test an F1 car a chance to prove their potential.

"If you look at our sport. drivers are very lucky to make F1, because there's no career path structure for it," Hamilton told AUTOSPORT.

"There are guys who don't get a look in. The idea with GP Prep is to provide more of an opportunity for young drivers to be spotted."

Costs are still being determined, although it is expected that a day's testing will require a similar budget to a weekend of racing in a high-level open-wheeler.

Deals are also being finalised with circuits, although it is anticipated that most running will take place in the UK. The programme is expected to be launched in March.

Altrezia

8,740 posts

240 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
Quite a cool idea.

Kneetrembler

2,069 posts

231 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
Wanta996Gotta said:
Anthony Hamilton is planning to run a fleet of 2009-spec Formula 1 cars in an effort to help young drivers gain mileage in current grand prix cars without being constrained by the testing restrictions, today's AUTOSPORT reveals.

The father of 2008 world champion Lewis, Hamilton intends to lease year-old cars, along with equipment and personnel, from teams and run them independently in a programme called the GP Prep Drivers Academy.

He has already agreed terms with McLaren for the supply of two cars, and is in advanced talks with other teams.

Hamilton said that the idea was to give young drivers who would otherwise not get a chance to test an F1 car a chance to prove their potential.

"If you look at our sport. drivers are very lucky to make F1, because there's no career path structure for it," Hamilton told AUTOSPORT.

"There are guys who don't get a look in. The idea with GP Prep is to provide more of an opportunity for young drivers to be spotted."

Costs are still being determined, although it is expected that a day's testing will require a similar budget to a weekend of racing in a high-level open-wheeler.

Deals are also being finalised with circuits, although it is anticipated that most running will take place in the UK. The programme is expected to be launched in March.
Top man for that, at least someone has thought more about drivers of the future.

Wanta996Gotta

Original Poster:

5,622 posts

236 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
Kneetrembler said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
Anthony Hamilton is planning to run a fleet of 2009-spec Formula 1 cars in an effort to help young drivers gain mileage in current grand prix cars without being constrained by the testing restrictions, today's AUTOSPORT reveals.

The father of 2008 world champion Lewis, Hamilton intends to lease year-old cars, along with equipment and personnel, from teams and run them independently in a programme called the GP Prep Drivers Academy.

He has already agreed terms with McLaren for the supply of two cars, and is in advanced talks with other teams.

Hamilton said that the idea was to give young drivers who would otherwise not get a chance to test an F1 car a chance to prove their potential.

"If you look at our sport. drivers are very lucky to make F1, because there's no career path structure for it," Hamilton told AUTOSPORT.

"There are guys who don't get a look in. The idea with GP Prep is to provide more of an opportunity for young drivers to be spotted."

Costs are still being determined, although it is expected that a day's testing will require a similar budget to a weekend of racing in a high-level open-wheeler.

Deals are also being finalised with circuits, although it is anticipated that most running will take place in the UK. The programme is expected to be launched in March.
Top man for that, at least someone has thought more about drivers of the future.
I agree but who is funding it? Surely this is a very expensive exercise.

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

246 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
So he's doing almost the same thing as Ferrari did in the summer with Schumacher (running old cars on different tyres) thats had the usual suspects bhing and moaning........................

Good idea, no doubt the underlying reason is to give him young drivers to manage / make money from

hullbilly

383 posts

201 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
I think it will cost a small fortune to test in these cars, But an excellent idea all the same.

Like it has been said, with the testing ban teams cant try new drivers, because they need to focus on developing the car.

I think the testing ban is bad idea and they should do a similar thing to motogp and have tests on the monday after the gp.

Mini1275

11,098 posts

211 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
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Good idea clap

zac510

5,546 posts

235 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
Sounds interesting. He'll be hoping the testing rules don't change then!

stew-S160

8,020 posts

267 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
so, will people stop bhing about his presence at races now?

Allyc85

7,225 posts

215 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
AndrewW-G said:
Good idea, no doubt the underlying reason is to give him young drivers to manage / make money from
No st...

andygo

7,391 posts

284 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
stew-S160 said:
so, will people stop bhing about his presence at races now?
No. He's a miserable git. You'd think he could at least raise a smile now he's not skint any more. Mind you, he might be a bit happier now Lewis has foooooked off that dizzy overdressed loony bint.

RacingPete

9,197 posts

233 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
Must be a lot of organising with the noise restrictions at UK circuits now, surely he will be very limited in the amount of days that this could happen, thus restricting the actual chances of doing it.

Good idea though to give future F1 drivers more experience though!

Libertine

3,997 posts

205 months

Thursday 28th January 2010
quotequote all
A good idea..but IF he does get this off the ground, it will be interesting to see how long he can keep it going.

I think this needs Bernie Ecclestone-deep pockets, and contacts to get this going.

Good on him for trying..
smile