CHARLOTTE (February 7, 2023) – Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) has confirmed its championship prize for the 2023 Driver Champion, and is once again offering the winner an opportunity to advance their racing career. Working with Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the 2023 FR Americas Champion will receive a scholarship to compete in Super Formula, along with a host of other prizes.
“Nothing makes the staff at FR Americas prouder than watching our champions go on to do great things in their careers, and we’re pleased to once again put together a prize that assists them in taking the next step,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for FR Americas. “Awarding our champion with not only the on-track opportunity, but also the equipment they need to be competitive, and the FIA Super License points to help them achieve their motorsport goals, proves that FR Americas can be a pivotal step in any driver’s career—and especially to those hoping to advance on the Road to F1.”
The FR Americas champion will be granted a 2024 Super Formula Scholarship from HPD and HRC. With a value of up to $600,000, the scholarship covers a substantial portion of the cost to run a full season, and includes an engine supply to run with a Honda-powered team selected by HRC. Additionally, the championship-winning driver will receive FIA Super License points, a carbon Bell helmet, a custom OMP Racing Suit, a Haas F1 Team guest experience at a U.S. F1 event, and an invitation to the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony at the conclusion of the season.
The internationally-respected Super Formula series is the top level of open-wheel racing in Japan, featuring high-downforce Dallara chassis powered by engines producing in excess of 550-horsepower. Successful graduates of Super Formula include Honda-powered Formula 1 race winner Pierre Gasly and the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series Champion Alex Palou.
This year’s Super Formula grid will include 2022 FR Americas Champion, Raoul Hyman.
“When the scholarship was announced, I knew that [FR Americas] was something that I needed to seriously consider and try to be a part of,” said Hyman. “I knew that if I was able to go back racing after a two-and-a-half-year layoff during COVID, there had to be something [to help me advance] if I was able to win. We don’t have the funding to just pay our way to the top, or into a professional seat in single seaters; I needed to have something at the end of the season to work toward. I knew if I could win the scholarship, I could extend my career by another year and give myself a shot.”
FR Americas continues to be a pivotal step, not only on the Road to F1, but also within open-wheel racing in America. Successful graduates have gone on to race in INDYCAR, IMSA, SRO, Indy Lights, and FIA Formula 3. In addition to the champion, drivers finishing through ninth in the championship standings are also eligible to receive FIA Super License points.
Promoted by Parella Motorsports Holdings and sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, FR Americas aligns with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable, and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success. Racing the Ligier JS F3 chassis on Hankook Motorsports tires, the 2023 FR Americas Championship will include 16 rounds of competition beginning at NOLA Motorsports Park and culminating at Circuit of The Americas. Stops in between are planned at Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, New Jersey Motorsports Park and VIRginia International Raceway.
The 2023 season kicks off at NOLA Motorsports Park, March 9-12.
About Formula Regional Americas Championship & Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda: The FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) & Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) are designed as entry-level open-wheel racing series offering young talent the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international platform while keeping affordability and safety as key elements. The Championships align with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success.
