Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembrey believes that the companies' 'Star Driver' scheme will breathe 'new life' into the FIA World Rally Championship over the next few years.
The details of the ‘Pirelli Star Driver' scheme were confirmed back in April by the
FIA, the sports governing body, and the main aim of the joint initiative is to help younger competitors reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Under it five young drivers will be drawn from the FIA regions - two from Europe and one each from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa. The successful drivers from each year will then contest a series of six World Championship rallies the following season, driving identical Group N or Super 2000 cars supplied and serviced under an FIA contract with a specialist preparation company. For more detail see previous story
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"The 'Pirelli Star Driver' scheme has a double value," Hembrey stated. "On the one hand, it allows young drivers to accelerate the time needed to have the opportunity to show what they can do on the international stage.
"Equally, it gives us the chance to hold an absolutely equal shoot-out – on neutral territory in front of a respected jury – between young drivers who will be able to show the best of themselves under the ideal circumstances for competition.
"This scheme will also increase the presence of young drivers on the WRC, bringing new life to a championship that will see a huge explosion in popularity over the next few years.
"Pirelli has always firmly believed in rallying and in motorsport in general, as it gives us a life-sized outdoor test bench.
"So naturally we are delighted to wholeheartedly support this initiative to promote young drivers."
A statement from the Italian tyre manufacturer, which is the official tyre supplier to the WRC, added that the European shoot-out will take place on the last weekend in October in Freistadt, Austria - and that it will work in a 'very simple and straightforward way'.
