Toyota revamps young driver scheme

The Toyota Drivers Academy will be run with a total of five young racers, participating in various junior formulae throughout 2003. Italian-based outfit Prema Powerteam has been selected to run the programme on behalf of the Japanese-funded, German-based Formula 1 team.

Australian Ryan Briscoe, 21, and 18-year-old Frenchman Franck Perera have been confirmed for their third year of involvement in the scheme. For 2003, Briscoe will drive in the new Formula 3 Euroseries after claiming podium finishes in the second half of the German F3 series last year. After a successful season in Italian Formula Renault in 2002, Perera will continue in this series in 2003, and additionally take part in Eurocup events.

Three new drivers have recently been added to the programme. Up-and-coming Japanese drivers Katsuyuki Hiranaka, 21, and 16-year-old Kouhei Hirate will be joined by Brazilian Roberto Streit, 19. Hirate and Streit will join Perera in Italian Formula Renault and the Eurocup, whilst Hiranaka teams up with Briscoe in Euro F3, and has already impressed in pre-season testing.

Toyota Motorsport team manager Ange Pasquali, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the scheme, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Hiranaka, Hirate and Streit to our Toyota Drivers Academy, joining Ryan and Franck. I am confident we have some stars of the future in these guys and I am excited about the season ahead. Our academy is much more than just driving. We focus on the overall ability of the driver, developing a wide range of driving and social skills. It is our aim with this scheme to produce high level sportsmen and ambassadors for Toyota."