Formula Regional Americas and United States Formula 4 have launched a diversity scholarship that will cover the entry costs for a female driver or one from a minority background.
It will come into place with immediate effect, and follows Formula Regional European Championship’s 2021 move to expand its car limit for teams if they sign a female driver for their extra car.
The scholarship covers the entry fees for all official tests and race weekends for one driver in FRegional and two in F4, and will put them in contact with mentors such as former IndyCar driver Willy T. Ribbs- the first African American driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and test a Formula 1 car.
“After having several conversations last year with Willy [Ribbs] regarding minorities in motorsport, I knew we had to create a more inclusive environment in which opportunities for young drivers can be realized,” said Tony Parella, who is CEO of the Parella Motorsports Holdings group that owns FRegional Americas and US F4.
“With the extended sponsorship from our partners Sunoco and Ligier, we were able to offer two driver scholarships – one for each series – this season.”
“The ‘PMH Powering Diversity Scholarship’ will assist in the development of the top young women and drivers of color in North America.
“As the programme progresses over the years, we ultimately want to create a more diverse and inclusive community in junior motorsport.”
The candidates for the scholarship, who have been nominated by team owners and major names in American motorsport, are already under consideration and a list of finalists will be revealed in the coming weeks.