Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Ferrari sign 14-year-old Australian to academy

A Ferrari logo is pictured on a hat in Santiago city, Chile, October 20, 2015. Luxury carmaker Ferrari's initial public offering could be priced as high as $53 per share, CNBC reported, citing sources. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/Files

Ferrari have signed 14-year-old Australian James Wharton to their young driver academy with a drive in Formula Four on offer.

He will have to wait until he turns 15 however, the minimum age for the category.

The Daniel Ricciardo fan from Bundoora, Victoria, won the Ferrari Academy's Scouting World Finals against five other youngsters from around the world in an evaluation camp at Maranello.

FILE PHOTO: A Ferrari logo is pictured on a glove of a Ferrari Formula One uniform in Santiago city, Chile, October 20, 2015. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

"He has considerable natural speed and he combines this with the ability to listen and put into practice the advice he is given," said Academy head Marco Matassa.

"His level headed and positive attitude, his ability as a team player and his cheerful nature make him particularly suitable for motor sport."

The academy has seen several young drivers progress to Formula One, the latest being Germany's Mick Schumacher whose father Michael is a seven-times world champion and Ferrari great.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.