Aussie Drivers Set to Conquer the Global Stage

The motorsport season for 2025 is in full swing, with numerous Australian talents embarking on their ventures in various new categories around the world. From competing at the very top of Formula 1 to making their presence felt in endurance racing and rallying, these drivers are advancing to significant stages in their motorsport careers.

This overview may not encompass every Australian currently racing internationally, but it showcases those making noteworthy transitions into fresh Championships and Series this year.

Formula 3 – James Wharton

Australian racing star James Wharton has officially joined ART Grand Prix for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship season, finalising their roster for the forthcoming year.

This major announcement signifies a considerable advancement in Wharton’s career as he takes his talents to the international arena with one of the foremost teams in junior motorsport.

After finishing second in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) in 2024, the young Australian consistently demonstrated his speed and capabilities, with four wins, five pole positions, and ten podium finishes during his inaugural season in the category.

In addition, Wharton made his FIA Formula 3 debut at Silverstone with Hitech Pulse-Eight last year, gaining vital experience and confirming his readiness to progress to the next level.

Expressing his excitement about joining ART Grand Prix, Wharton stated:

“Becoming part of ART Grand Prix is undoubtedly the most significant milestone in my racing journey so far. I’m immensely grateful for the confidence they have shown in me and my potential. I’m prepared to put in everything I’ve got to seize this remarkable opportunity.”

The opening round for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship is scheduled to take place at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 14-16.

Formula 1 – Jack Doohan

Jack Doohan, who has served as Alpine’s F1 reserve driver since 2023, is set to take part in his first full-time race seat at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix in 2025 after debuting in the Formula 1 Championship at the 2024 season finale.

The young driver from Queensland joins the F1 grid with a robust racing background, boasting numerous wins in F3 and F2.

Doohan launched his career in British Formula 4, followed by experiences in Italian F4, ADAC F4, and Asian F3, ultimately moving up to FIA Formula 3 in 2020, where he finished second in 2021.

Joining Alpine’s Driver Development Programme in 2022, he finished sixth in his rookie F2 season and improved to third in 2023, with three wins, including two consecutive feature race victories in Hungary and Belgium.

His formula racing experience has been further deepened through multiple free practice sessions with Alpine between 2022 and 2024, leading to the exciting opportunity to race alongside his teammate Pierre Gasly and the rest of the field in 2025.

The first round of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Championship season kicks off in Melbourne from March 14-16.

Formula 1 – Oscar Piastri

Victorian driver Oscar Piastri is poised to have the backing of a home crowd at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix this weekend as he embarks on his third full-time season with McLaren.

Having secured two Grand Prix victories and with McLaren fresh off claiming the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Piastri is excited about the prospect of contesting for the Drivers’ Championship alongside his British teammate Lando Norris.

In 2024, Piastri was honoured with the Sir Jack Brabham Award for his outstanding performance during the season.

McLaren Trophy – Jayden Kelly

Emerging Australian talent Jayden Kelly is gearing up for his second season in the McLaren Trophy Europe, teaming up with championship-winning Greystone GT and Silver-graded driver Michael O’Brien, as they aim to contend for the Pro category title in 2025.

Kelly made a notable impact in his debut season, receiving the Driver of the Day award at Misano and clinching pole position and victory at Spa-Francorchamps, alongside multiple podium finishes at the Nürburgring, ultimately finishing third overall.

Eager to build on his success, Kelly expresses his excitement about collaborating with Greystone GT, a team known for being a two-time McLaren Trophy Europe champion.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the incredible team at Greystone GT as we kick off our Pro category campaign in 2025,” Kelly said.

“I’m determined to pursue the Pro category title, and with Michael’s experience and Greystone GT’s winning expertise backing me, I’ll give it my all on track. Huge thanks to the entire team; I’m keen to get started!”

The 2025 season will commence at Brands Hatch on May 3-4, highlighted by a feature at the iconic CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa in June.

GB3 Championship – Pat Heuzenroeder

Xcel Motorsport has confirmed that Australian prodigy Patrick Heuzenroeder will spearhead the team’s inaugural campaign in the GB3 Championship for 2025.

Heuzenroeder, who made his mark in last year’s GB3 Championship with a podium finish and multiple top-five results, brings valuable experience and pace to Xcel’s debut season.

After a successful fourth overall finish in the New Zealand Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, Pat has garnered attention thanks to his impressive speed and ability to overtake.

Heuzenroeder wrapped up the season with eight top-five finishes, including four podiums and one victory, establishing a solid foundation for his GB3 campaign.

The GB3 Championship is the leading single-seater series in the UK, featuring iconic tracks in 2025 such as Spa, Monza, Zandvoort, Hungaroring, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, and Donington.

“I’m truly excited to be joining Xcel Motorsport for my 2025 GB3 campaign,” Heuzenroeder expressed.

“I believe we have a strong team filled with experience and a hunger to win. I’m eager to start the season in April.”

The 2025 GB3 Championship will kick off at Silverstone on April 26-27.

GB3 Championship – Gianmarco Pradel

Rodin Motorsport has welcomed Australian Gianmarco Pradel to its 2025 GB3 Championship team as they aim to defend their title.

Pradel has made quite an impression in previous categories like Italian F4 and Euro 4, exemplified by a remarkable victory at Monza where he executed spectacular overtakes to clinch the win.

He has already had testing with Rodin and will soon be working with the new Tatuus MSV GB3-025 car, which features improved downforce, horsepower, safety enhancements, and DRS.

Indy NXT – Tommy Smith

Australian racer Tommy Smith has signed on with HMD Motorsports for the 2025 Indy NXT season, taking the wheel of the team’s No. 16 entry.

Smith began his racing journey in 2017, with experiences in New Zealand Formula Ford and Australian Formula 4, and has since competed in Asian F3, Formula Regional European Championship, and GB3.

His last two seasons were spent in FIA Formula 3, where he achieved a personal best of fourth place at Silverstone in 2024.

“I’m thrilled to be competing in America and am ready for the challenge,” Smith said, who will be reuniting with his former FIA Formula 3 teammate, Caio Collet, after both drove for Van Amersfoort Racing in 2023.

Smith has completed the first round of the Indy NXT season, finishing in 15th place. The next race will be the Grand Prix of Alabama on May 4.

Indy NXT – Lochie Hughes

Lochie Hughes has been announced as the newest addition to Andretti Global’s 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone lineup, steering the No. 26 Andretti Dallara.

The 22-year-old Australian boasts an impressive racing resume and a bright future ahead.

Hughes began his racing career in karting back in 2012 before making the switch to car racing in 2018, debuting in the Australian Formula 4 Championship.

In 2023, Hughes progressed to the USF2000 Championship, where he earned the Hyperco Rookie of the Year award, clinching four wins, eight podium finishes, and two pole positions.

His upward trajectory continued in 2024, as he triumphed in the USF Pro 2000 Championship, achieving four pole positions, five race victories, six additional podiums, and another Rookie of the Year title.

Hughes has already made a significant impact in the Indy NXT series, landing a podium finish at St. Petersburg, finishing behind race winner Dennis Hauger.

The upcoming round of the season will also take place on May 4 during the Grand Prix of Alabama.

Formula Regional European Championship – Jack Beeton

PREMA Racing has officially signed 16-year-old Australian Jack Beeton for the upcoming 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.

The Gold Coast standout steps up from Formula 4 after competing in the F4 UAE championship and subsequently taking part in the Euro 4 and Italian Formula 4 championships.

Beeton secured the 2023 F4 South Asia Championship title with two victories and five podium finishes. In 2024, he finished as vice-champion in Italian F4, boasting 16 podiums, three poles, and a win.

In the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Beeton celebrated his first win with the Mumbai Falcons at Lusail, finishing that race in first place after making an impressive comeback from a P5 start.

He is already preparing for the season opener with PREMA at Misano in May.

Junior WRC – Taylor Gill

Australian rally talent Taylor Gill, along with co-driver Dan Brkic, is set to return to the Junior WRC Championship (JWRC) for the 2025 season.

Gill, who made history as the youngest ARC Production Cup winner in 2023, had a stellar debut season in 2024, kicking off the Junior WRC with a winning performance at Rallye Sweden in the Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo as part of the FIA Rally Star program.

The 2025 calendar will feature exciting stages in Portugal, Greece, Finland, and the newly included round in Central Europe.

British F4 – Jimmy Piszyck

Australian Jimmy Piszcyk has reunited with British F4, signing on with Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 season.

The 18-year-old was a force during the 2024 Australian F4 Championship, winning the opening nine races en route to capturing the title.

Piszcyk previously finished fifth in British F4 in 2023 while racing for Hitech Pulse-Eight, where he achieved four podiums and two victories.

After beginning his journey in karts at the age of seven, he moved to cars in Formula Ford in 2021 before stepping into British F4 in 2023.

The 2025 British F4 Championship will commence at Donington Park National on April 26-27.

F1 Academy – Aiva Anagnostiadis and Joanne Ciconte
Both Aiva Anagnostiadis and Joanne Ciconte are set to make their F1 Academy debuts in 2025.

Seventeen-year-old Anagnostiadis will compete in this year’s series, supported by TAG Heuer.

She has established a solid foundation in karting and junior formulas, and is primed to face the challenges presented by the F1 Academy.

In 2022, Anagnostiadis participated in the Motorsport Games in France and secured the Australian Ladies Trophy in 2021.

By 2024, she transitioned to car racing, regularly testing with Argenti Motorsport and finishing 10th in her debut season in the Indian F4 championship.

Her commitment and passion for motorsport have been evident throughout her career, and she aims to make a significant mark on the track.

Meanwhile, Ciconte, who has steadily advanced through various junior motorsport categories, is set to shine in the F1 Academy series with MP Motorsport.

Ciconte has displayed potential through her impressive performances in karting and single-seater racing, and now looks to take the next step in her career.

Ciconte has scored points in the Australian F4 before continuing her development in Europe, participating in the Brno round of the Central European Zone F4 Championship.

Both drivers will commence their F1 Academy season in Shanghai from March 21-23.