Australian karters James Wharton and Marcos Flack will head to Fiorano, Italy, later this month to take part in the 2020 Ferrari Driver Academy camp.
Victorian Wharton and Queenslander Flack will represent the Asia Pacific and Oceania region at the iconic Ferrari facility.
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca congratulated the pair on their selection.
“We are delighted to have James and Marcos representing Australia alongside some of the best drivers in the world at this year’s Ferrari Driver Academy program,” Arocca said.
“Motorsport Australia was overwhelmed by the interest in the FDA from the next generation of motorsport stars in Australia and also the Asia Pacific and Oceania region.
“The competition for the final two spots was intense. We thank all those who applied and congratulate James and Marcos as our selected participants.
Wharton is already in Europe ahead of the FDA camp, while Flack will fly to Italy within the next week. The camp takes place on October 21-27.
Marcos Flack
Marcos resides in Forestdale south of Brisbane and was excited about the opportunity to be part of the exciting development program.
“I was just so happy and honoured to have this opportunity to go over to Italy to represent Australia,” Flack, 14, said.
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“I just want to enjoy the opportunity and learn more about my driving as part of the next step in my racing career.
“I certainly look up to Ferrari drivers like Michael Schumacher and Charles Leclerc, who has come in to Formula 1 and been fast straight away, so I am really looking forward to being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.”
Flack has had plenty of success in the karting space, both here in Australia and also overseas with the factory CRG team, after getting his first taste of motorsport at the age of five.
Impressively, Flack also spent time in New Zealand at the start of 2020, working as a mechanic in the Toyota Racing Series to provide himself with more understanding of the mechanical side of the sport.
James Wharton
Wharton, from Yarrambat near Melbourne was equally as pleased about this unique opportunity.
“I feel proud to be able to honour Australia,” Wharton, 14, said.
“There haven’t been many Australians involved with Ferrari and I am looking forward to being able to represent Australia and represent myself with such a big name in world motorsport.
“I have an amazing opportunity to achieve some of the goals that I have set for myself, but I know there is still a long way to go and I will be putting in a lot of work and maximum effort.”
Wharton too has starred on the karting stage, with strong appearances both locally at Karting Australia events and overseas at FIA-CIK level events.
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