CUMBRIA'S auto racing team has been selected as the official rally car partner of FIA Rally Start, the largest detection programme in the motorsport.

M-Sport’s involvement in the scheme will be spearheaded by M-Sport Poland, with thanks to the unique insight it has into developing young drivers taking their first steps on the world stage.

FIA Rally Star is a global driver detection and training programme launched by the FIA with the main aim of uncovering rallying’s most promising future stars.

Spotted by ASNs, the best young drivers between 17 and 25 will be selected and subjected to an intense preparation year ahead of entering the 2023 FIA Junior WRC Championship.

During this preparation year, the selected drivers will take part in a rigorous training schedule incorporating a variety activities such as physical training and entering national rallies to build experience ahead of a campaign in FIA Junior WRC.

The programme is road mapped to include a fully funded season in the FIA WRC 3 Championship if a selected driver wins the FIA Junior WRC Championship

The road ahead for any young driver in the world of rallying is tough and even more so on FIA World Rally Championship events which feature some of the most demanding special stages in the world.

Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport Managing Director, said: “Developing young drivers with a clear and concise route from grass-root to top-level rallying has always been at the core of our business, and the FIA Rally Star is perfectly aligned with that goal.

"We pride ourselves on supporting young drivers and are constantly looking for new and innovative ways of finding the sport’s future stars.

"There’s never been anything quite like the Rally Star programme, in its scale and ambition, and I’m looking forward to working with the FIA as we search for the next generation of FIA World Rally Champions.”

Maciej Woda, M-Sport Poland Director: “We have been very interested in the FIA Rally Star programme for quite a while now. It is a fantastic initiative that the FIA should be very proud of and really resonates with M-Sport’s fundamental values."