For many years, the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) has been at the forefront of young racing drivers’ development and has been a benchmark for other teams. The idea of the driver academy for Ferrari first originated during Felipe Massa’s time on loan to Sauber. Jules Bianchi was the first driver to be initiated into the programme, joining in December 2009.

Current drivers

Dino Beganovic joined the academy at the start of his single-seater career in 2020. Whilst under the Ferrari Driver Academy, Beganovic won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA). Since then, the Swedish driver has had several outings in Ferrari’s Formula One machinery and in 2026, he will contest his second full Formula 2 season, and first with DAMS Lucas Oil.

Maya Weug won the Girls on Track- Rising Stars programme in 2020, earning herself a place in the FDA. Since 2021, she has raced in several F4-level championships and Formula Regional. Most recently, Weug competed in F1 Academy, claiming three wins and a further six podiums, finishing second in the drivers’ standings.

Rafael Câmara signed with the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022, alongside Haas Formula One driver Oliver Bearman. As a member of the academy, Câmara won the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024, and the Formula Three championship in 2025. In 2026, the Brazilian driver will be competing in his rookie season of Formula 2 with Invicta Racing.

Tuukka Taponen became a member in 2023 after winning the organisation’s World Scouting Final. Since joining the academy, Taponen won the Formula Regional Middle East Championship in 2024, as well as claiming three podiums in Formula 3 in 2025. In 2026, Tuukka Taponen will be racing in his second full F3 season with MP Motorsport.

Filippo Sala is an Italian karting driver who joined academy in 2025. During his career, he has won many races and titles across several countries. In 2026, he will be racing with Charles Leclerc Racing Team by Birelart in the KZ2 Class.

Noah Baglin is a British Karter who has won many titles. Since joining the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2025, Baglin won the FIA Junior World Karting Championship in 2025. In 2026, he will continue to compete in karting.

Alba Larsen was named as a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in August 2025, and it was later announced that she will be the Scuderia’s F1 Academy entry in 2026. Alongside her F1 Academy campaign, Larsen will also be racing in UAE4 and British F4 in 2026.

The Italian racing driver who joined programme in 2025. Since 2022, when he just 11-years-old, the young racer has been testing single-seater cars. In 2026, Maccagnani will be competing with Prema Racing in both the Italian F4 Championship and Euro 4 Championship.

Notable alumni

During his junior career, the late Jules Bianchi won several titles including the 2007 French Formula Renault 2.0 championship, 2008 Masters of Formula 3 championship and the 2009 Formula 3 Euro Series. In 2009, the French driver signed to the newly-created Ferrari Driver Academy, becoming the first driver in the programme. Alongside his GP2 campaigns in 2011, Bianchi became Ferrari’s Reserve Driver. He made his Formula One debut in 2013 for Marussia and in 2014, Bianchi scored his first and only points by finishing in ninth place at the Monaco Grand Prix.

An accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix saw Bianchi placed into an induced coma before he ultimately passed away on July 17 2015, aged just 25.

Charles Leclerc was a member of Ferrari’s Driver Academy from 2016 until 2018. When he joined the programme, he was competing in GP3 and went on to win the title. He was also signed as Ferrari’s Development Driver and Haas’ Test Driver in 2016. For 2017, Leclerc stepped up to Formula Two and won the title, he also took on the roles of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo’s test driver. In 2018, the Monégasque driver made his Formula One debut with Alfa Romeo and the following year, Leclerc was promoted to Ferrari. Since joining the Scuderia, Charles Leclerc has won eight races and a further 42 podiums.

Sergio Pérez was one of the earliest members of the Ferrari Driver Academy. He joined the programme in 2010, and left in 2012. During his time in the academy, Pérez was runner-up in GP2 before stepping up to Formula One with Sauber. After leaving the Ferrari programme, the Mexican driver continued to race in Formula One until the end of the 2024 season. During his 14 seasons in the pinnacle of motorsport, Pérez won six races and has a total of 39 podiums. In 2026, Sergio Pérez will be making his return to Formula One with Cadillac.

Oliver Bearman joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 after winning both the ADAC Formula 4 and Italian F4 championships in 2021. During his time with the academy, the Briton has won several races in both Formula 2 and Formula 3. Additionally, in 2023, he served as Haas F1’s test driver. Bearman made his F1 debut in 2024 with Ferrari, replacing the unwell Carlos Sainz. Additionally, the 20-year-old raced for Haas in Azerbaijan replacing Kevin Magnussen following a race ban, and in Singapore due to the Danish driver feeling unwell. In 2025, Oliver Bearman joined Haas as a full-time Formula One driver, a role that he will continue in 2026.

Read about the rest of the Driver Academies here.

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