Seeking the Next German Racer for Formula One, Collaboration Between Mercedes and ADAC Announced

In an ambitious move to encourage young German talent in motorsport, Mercedes and the ADAC have announced an initiative to bring a German driver back into the top tier of Formula 1. The talent search process begins this year, with the first selection process taking place.

The lack of opportunity in motorsport often deters many from starting, but Mercedes aims to send a message to encourage young German talent. The company will help address the issue by stepping in to provide funding for promising young racers.

The 2025 Formula 1 season will only see one German driver, Nico Hülkenberg, in the top tier of motorsport. Mercedes' support of the most promising German talent will depend on their international performance.

The biggest problem in German motorsport's youth is the lack of funding, with a season in karting costing several hundred thousand euros. However, if a talent is supported by Mercedes, they will cover the costs for the further career in karting and formula racing, amounting to double-digit millions.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff admits that the pool of young people who can afford motorsport is small. Yet, he states that Mercedes is not a charity and will only intervene if a talent is convincing.

The supported talent does not mean the end of the program; Mercedes will continue to operate the youth program, led by Gwen Lagrue, responsible for current drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

In addition to Formula 1, Mercedes will also support young German enduro riders in the ADAC Enduro Youth Cup East in 2025 as part of the talent search initiative.

Interestingly, when Mercedes returned as a works team in 2010, they started with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, almost as a German national team. However, it's worth noting that Michael Schumacher, although a Mercedes junior before his F1 debut and later driving for the star-brand, achieved his greatest successes with Ferrari.

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius stated that while every Formula 1 team wants the best drivers in the world, they have a strong tradition with German drivers. The ADAC and Mercedes plan to collaborate to identify young German Formula 1 talents aged between ten and twelve, with the ADAC giving more focus to the German aspect in the selection process.

As the talent search process begins, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the promising young German driver to represent Mercedes in Formula 1. The lack of a German Grand Prix for several years adds to the excitement as fans eagerly await the return of a German driver to the top tier of motorsport.

Seeking the Next German Racer for Formula One, Collaboration Between Mercedes and ADAC Announced