Alpine Academy announces expanded class of 2023

Ahead of the launch of its 2023 F1 car on Thursday, Alpine has announced the young drivers that will fill the ranks of its Academy this season.

A total of eight drivers – Alpine's largest selection yet – will represent the French manufacturer in motorsport's junior ranks in 2023.

At the top, Jack Doohan and 2022 FIA Formula 3 Champion Victor Martins will showcase their skills in Formula 2, with the Aussie remaining with Virtuosi Racing while the Frenchman takes the step up with ART Grand Prix.

In Formula 3, Nikola Tsolov (ART GP) gets un upgrade, jumping from an Alpine Affiliate programme to the Academy after a productive campaign in 2022, while Gabriele Mini joins the Academy off the back of a runner-up spot in the Formula Regional European Championship. The Italian will be racing in F3 with Hitech Pulse Eight.

Abbi Pulling, Matheus Ferreira, Kean Nakamura and Aiden Neate have also become fully-fledged Academy members.

Pulling has been named as the sixth F1 Academy driver, competing for Carlin in the F1-supported all-women series.

Ferreira graduates to single-seaters and the Brazilian will be racing in the Italian F4 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing, while 15-year-old Japanese racer Nakamura remains in karting, while Britain's Neate, who finished third in the 2022 UAE Formula 1 Championship, has yet to finalise his plans for 2023.

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Graduating from the Academy's programme, Olli Caldwell will enjoy his LMP2 debut, driving for the French manufacturer in the World Endurance Championship.

"The 2023 Alpine Academy line-up is arguably the most competitive it’s ever been," commented Julian Rouse, Alpine Academy Director.

"It’s been great to expand our roster to nine drivers and be able to represent Alpine across many disciplines. In Formula 2, we have two drivers in Jack and Victor who both have the potential to be fighting near the front."

"It’s the same in Formula 3 with Nikola and Gabriele who I expect will be competitive from the get-go. Away from the Formula 1 support categories, we’re looking forward to seeing what Abbi, Matheus, Aiden and Kean can achieve across their respective series.

"I’m pleased to see Olli progressing into the sportscar world with us and this is just the start of a much closer and collaborative project where we at the Academy aim to count on the expertise of Alpine’s various racing divisions to give our drivers experience and opportunities.

"There are exciting times ahead and we’re all looking forward to working closely with our 2023 drivers."

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