Ferrari presents its FDA's class of 2023

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The Ferrari Driver Academy presented on Tuesday in Maranello its class of 2023 and the eight young guns – two girls and six boys - that will race under its guidance and colors in various single-seater categories this year.

There were two new faces in the group and six from last year selected by FDA boss Marco Matassa who presented his protégés alongside Scuderia team boss Frédéric Vasseur and sporting director Laurent Mekies.

Newcomers Tuukka Taponen from Finland and Brazil’s Aurelia Nobels, who won the 2022 FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars programme, and James Wharton will all race in Formula 4 this year.

The FDA will be represented in the European Formula Regional Championship by 17-year-old Brazilian Rafael Camara and 18-year-old Maya Weug who unfortunately could not make yesterday's group shot due to an outside commitment.

In the FIA Formula 3 Championship, Ferrari will rely on Sweden's Dino Beganovic who steps up to the category this year with Prema.

Finally, one level above, Oliver Bearman and Arthur Leclerc will make the entry into the FIA Formula 2 Championship. The 17-year-old Englishman stays with the Prema team this year, while the 22-year-old Monegasque will be flying the flag for DAMS.

"The start of a new academic year is always a very special moment," commented Matassa.

"It’s good to meet up again with our existing students and even more special to open the doors to our new ones.

"It’s going to be a particularly demanding season because seven of the eight of them will be rookies in their category and so they face an even tougher challenge."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.