The Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) is widely considered as the ‘junior team’ of Scuderia Ferrari. This is where they develop young talent, push them up the ranks, with the goal of promoting one of them into their Formula 1 team some day. Every year they organize an FDA Selection Program to replenish their talent pool with the latest one happening next month.
Sorting through more than 100 applications, they narrowed the list down to 25 of the best young talents from around the Asia Pacific and Oceania region. Representatives come from 6 different countries including India, New Zealand, Australia, China, South Korea, and a lone entry form the Philippines, William Riley Go.
Born and raised in Cebu, William is one of the most talented and accomplished local karters in recent years. He has won championships in the IAME Series Asia, ROK Cup Singapore, and Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC) before moving to Europe full time. The 15-year-old then became a top class driver in the WSK Super Master Series, IAME Euro Series, and FIA Karting Championships racking up podiums and wins in 2022.
The 2023 Ferrari Driver Academy – Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program is a 5-day event held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in Malaysia from the 23rd to 27th of September. William, along with the other 24 candidates, will spend the first 2 days doing seat fittings, a track walk, and undergoing meetings with engineers. It’s only by day 3 will they be able to show what they can do behind the wheel of the latest Formula 4-spec Tatuus F4 T421 around the 5.543 km track. There will also be fitness testing as well as media and sponsorship sessions along the way before they announce the top 6 drivers. This small group then get one last shot to impress the FDA and Motorsport Australia representatives for a shot in the FDA Scouting World Finals at the end of October.
As an accomplished karter, it’s only natural for young William to take the next step up the motorsports ladder. We wish him the best of luck as he makes his debut in single-seaters.
