Mercedes drafts 12-year-old karter into junior programme

©Mercedes

Mercedes has announced its seven-driver strong junior programme for 2023 that includes 12-year-old karter Kenzo Craigie.

The young British charger from Epsom dominated the Cadet class in 2022, winning the Ultimate Karting Championship Series, British Kartmasters (GP Plate), British Karting Championship (O Plate), and finishing as the British Karting Championship Vice-Champion.

Craigie now steps up to the Junior class and will compete in the UK and International Rotax, and IAME categories.

From karters to FIA Formula 2 racers, Mercedes is supporting a diverse set of talent this season.

Danish charger Frederik Vesti, who moved up to F2 last year with ART Grand Prix, remains in the feeder series but will switch to Prema.

Paul Aron from Estonia will graduate from the Formula Regional European Championship to the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema

Kimi Antonelli

Highly-rated Italian Kimi Antonelli joined Mercedes' junior programme in 2019, and since, the young man from Bologna continues to ascend. For 2023, he moves up to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, having already won the Middle Eastern version of the series.

Mercedes has also retained young karters Alex Powell from Jamaica, Yuanpu Cui from China Spanish female racer Luna Fluxa.

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"We're looking forward to seeing how our Junior Drivers progress this season," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

"We saw some impressive performances in 2022, and we will continue to support them as they develop.

"An encouraging recent example of their progress is Kimi's Formula Regional Middle East title.

"All our Junior Drivers are at very different, but very exciting, stages of their young careers and I'm sure it's going to be another positive year for the programme."

Luna Flexa

As has been the case for several years now, Mercedes' junior programme will be overseen and managed by Driver Development Advisor Gwen Larue.

"For 2023, our Junior Programme has drivers racing in almost every step of the feeder series ladder," noted Larue. "We're optimistic it's going to be another strong season and year of positive progress."

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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.