F1 star George Russell opens Silverstone karting academy to help young drivers overcome financial barriers
All you need to know as George Russell launches the GR63 Academy at Kart Silverstone.
Formula 1 driver George Russell has launched a new karting academy in Silverstone to identify, develop and accelerate the next generation of UK motorsport talent.
Russell, who has driven for Brackley’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team since 2022, has established the GR63 Academy in a bid to discover and nurture the nation’s stars of tomorrow.
Open to boys and girls aged 8-9, the academy has been introduced to make karting accessible for talented young karters whose families may not have the budget required to progress through the sport.
Russell is determined to ensure finances are no obstacle for aspiring drivers, knowing from his own upbringing that families have to make huge sacrifices to support their kids’ dreams.
The academy, which kickstarts in December, will be based at Kart Silverstone, the new-for-2026 karting facility a stone’s throw from Silverstone Circuit.
Fresh off the back of Mercedes clinching the F1 Constructors’ Championship, the excitement continues with this new venture for Russell, and it’s one he couldn’t be prouder of.
“Karting is where it all started for me and it taught me everything I’ve relied on throughout my career,” Russell said.
“I know how hard it is for talented young drivers to get that first opportunity, especially when budgets are tight.
“With the GR63 Karting Academy, I want to give something back by finding those hidden talents and giving them the support and platform they need to reach their potential.
“I’m really grateful to Silverstone and the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) for helping make this happen.”
Russell’s academy has been set out with four key stages, beginning with arrive and drive qualifiers from December 6-31, 2026.
This open-access format invites any boys and girls aged eight or nine - with citizenship of any Commonwealth country - to battle to earn a place in the final academy.
Costing £25 per qualifier, the best 80 will then progress to stage two and compete in the GR63 Shootout. That event, taking place on January 31, 2027, will then whittle it down to the 25 best drivers, with entries to that costing a further £75.
From there, the GR63 Championship will get underway in March and the fully-funded, eight-round competition at Kart Silverstone will have different circuit configurations each time – all curated by Russell himself.
Every driver will receive a full set of GR63 Academy kit including overalls, helmet, gloves and boots, making the championship - which runs until November 2027 - all the more immersive and rewarding.
At the end of the GR63 Championship, there will be the fourth and final stage, with the top five drivers taking part in a weekend-long shootout in December 2027.
That event will be a final assessment covering the pillars required of a world-class motorsport driver: talent, lap times, fitness, racecraft and media skills.
The winner will then receive a fully-funded karting season in 2028.
“The best drivers should be given the right platform to rise to the top, no matter their background. This is the mission of the GR63 Academy,” Russell added.
For more information, including how to book a session at the December 2026 qualifiers, visit: kart.silverstone.co.uk/gr63-academy