The year he promoted George Russell, his first member Young Pilot Program from F1her official team, mercedes Surprised to announce the new members of Sport club for the 2022 season.
In a year when the main reveal of karting has already been signed by F1 teams (Rafael Camara went to the Ferrari academy, Arvid Lindblad was right with Red Bull Junior, Team Maranello and Andrea would keep a close eye on Toca Tabunin Kimi Antonelli was already at Mercedes) The German automaker had to be creative in discovering new talent.
Daniel Guinchard at the Mercedes Academy
The first choice was the British Daniel Guinchardwho was very successful in karting in the UK itself, but was not well known in European competitions.
Last year, he lifted the trophy in the British Kart Championship and other championships in the country, such as the Ultimate Karting Championship and British Kartmasters GP, with Rotax gear, as well as the X30, always in the junior division.
In 2020, he participated in the European Championships, winning some titles both in the UK and Germany, but they are less important than the World Cup, the European Championship and those that were held in Italy.
For this year, Guinchard will participate in the English F4, for the Argentine team, and is considered one of the favorites. The problem for him is that this year’s network has some veterans, such as Oliver Gray, the new employee from the Williams academy who will defend the always-favorite Carlin, and Aiden Nate, his Argentina teammate.
Luna Floxa at the Mercedes Academy
The other chosen by Mercedes Luna Flowaged just 11, who became the first woman to join the German brand’s development program.
The young Spaniard is part of a family that has invested a lot of resources in karting and in the core categories of motorsport. For example, his older brother Lorenzo Floxa has been racing Formula cars for several years now. Last year, he participated in the F-Regional by Alpine, but did not score any points.
Since Luna is so young, it is still difficult to guess about her career. Last year, she showed her potential by being the Iame Euro Series champion, in karting, and taking the Spanish Championships fourth in her class.
For 2022, for the Kart Republic factory team, it will also take part in the WSK and FIA Championships, which bring together the world’s most famous competitors, with the support of Mercedes.
With the arrival of Guinchard and Fluxa, the junior team now has seven drivers (eight if Russell included). Antonelli, Paul Aaron, Alex Powell, Frederic Vesti, Yuanpo Kui also participate.
There won’t be room for all of them as their careers advance, and the German carmaker will likely find itself in the same situation that Albin, Ferrari and Red Bull have faced in recent years: with many pupils on the lips of F1, but rarely a vacancy to promote. to the main category.
Now that you know who the new Mercedes Academy recruits are, you can click here to see the full results of the F1 Saudi Arabia GP, as well as other major global motorsport classes over the weekend.
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