Indian driver Akhil Rabindra earned himself a place in the FIA Institute Young Drivers Excellence Academy after passing an intensive three days of tests and evaluations at the FIA Institute Asia-Pacific Selection Event.
The 17-year-old Rabindra, who races in the JK Racing India Series (Formula BMW) won his place on the fully-funded Academy program after beating Petr Borodin from Kazakhstan and Mark Gibson from New Zealand in a three-way battle.
On the final day of the selection event the 12 drivers were whittled down to three and ultimately Rabindra was selected not only on the shoot-out result but on all-round skills displayed over the three days.
The event was hosted by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) and there were three judges on the selection panel with the Gus Glover from the FIA Institute, Academy Instructor Tony Turner and Lead Driving Instructor Cameron McConville.
"I am honoured to have been selected I would like to thank the FIA Institute, CAMS and my ASN The FMSCI for making this possible. I am looking forward to taking on the other drivers from across the world. The Academy should be great and I hope to lean a lot," Rabindra said.
