Home of Welsh Motor Sport teams up with leading single-seater outfitCarlin Academy to develop F1 stars of the future via combination of circuit and classroom tuitionOpportunity for young drivers to follow in the wheeltracks of Vettel and RicciardoPembrey’s role in shaping the future of international motor sport has taken another step forward with the announcement that ultra-successful single-seater outfit Carlin is to launch a new young driver academy at the popular south Wales circuit. Boasting an unrivalled pedigree throughout the junior formulae from F3 to GP2, Carlin has played a key part in nurturing the careers of many high-calibre drivers. Illustrious alumni include multiple Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, the sport’s newest grand prix-winner.Underscoring its outstanding reputation as a test track par excellence, the majority of Carlin’s hot-shoes cut their teeth and conducted much of their formative development at Pembrey – the celebrated Home of Welsh Motor Sport. That collaboration is now set to intensify as the team places its faith in the Carmarthenshire circuit to help it hone the motor sport heroes of the future.Spearheaded by former racer Tom Gaymor, the Carlin Academy will focus on engaging, teaching and developing drivers in both a classroom and on- track environment – endowing them with the skills they need to progress through the motor sport ranks.The initiative is targeted at young drivers looking to make the leap from karting into car racing and complements their educational commitments. The Academy’s aim is to provide a solid foundation for advancement in driving ability, fitness and mental strength, with the benefit of a structured simulator programme.As the protégés develop, they will have the opportunity to take to the circuit during bespoke track sessions at Pembrey in order to fine-tune their newfound skills. A range of Carlin engineers and mechanics will guide them through the process as they follow in the wheeltracks of the likes of current F1 aces Kevin Magnussen, Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniil Kvyat and Max Chilton in bidding to ultimately graduate to the highest echelons of the sport.“I’m delighted that Carlin has chosen to set up its Academy at Pembrey,” remarked circuit manager Phil Davies. “We have a long association with Trevor Carlin and his team through their permanent facility here, and are confident we can help to produce many more world-class drivers together. It’s a great coup for the circuit and I’m sure will prove to be an extremely beneficial partnership for both sides.“Over the years, so many leading teams have tested at Pembrey. The nature of the circuit truly brings out the best of people’s driving ability. It’s quite technical, meaning it requires a substantial degree of driver input over the 1.5-mile lap, whilst also placing a high priority on physical fitness. There is so much here that relates to a lot of other tracks, and as such, it is an ideal training circuit.”As another feather in its cap, Pembrey has just been granted its FIA track licence to allow the circuit to continue with international testing, and Trevor Carlin – racing director of his eponymously-named, multiple title-winning operation – is enthusiastic about the potential of the new joint project.“We’re pleased to have this exciting Academy within the Carlin fold,” he stated. “The motor sport industry can be quite daunting, but the aim of the Academy is to assist and equip young drivers with the skills they need to step into single-seaters. We hope this will be something that produces some great talents over the coming years.”“This is a fantastic opportunity for drivers to learn as much as they possibly can during the time they spend with us,” echoed Academy director Gaymor. “Our aim is to take young drivers and deliver to them the necessary learning programmes in order to support them at being as good as they can possibly be.“Having the Academy within Carlin means we are able to welcome these young drivers into the Carlin family from a younger age, allowing them to work closely with engineers and develop relationships and skills to take them further. This gives them long-term development and stability, which will in-turn provide a great platform for high performance.”-Ends-