Simone Bianco wins the Steering Wheel Award 2025: talent, consistency, and vision
The first edition of the Steering Wheel Award 2025, organized by Wolf Racing Cars with the support of ACI Sport, concluded with a thrilling finale at the Magione circuit on November 18 and 19. The event featured 20 young talents selected from the world of karting, chosen from 43 applications received from around the world. It offered these drivers the opportunity to showcase their skills behind the wheel of the Wolf GB08 Raiden powered by Aprilia, the sports prototype from the Gardone Val Trompia-based company.
Simone Bianco wins narrowly.
The prestigious award was claimed by Simone Bianco, who finished the competition with a final score of 33.5 points, narrowly surpassing Giacomo Maman (33 points) and Christian Canonica (32.5 points). The gap between the top three was so minimal that it was fitting to call them all winners, as the difference that determined the final champion was razor-thin. Bianco's score was slightly penalized (-1 point) for having tested a Formula 4 car before the contest, while Maman was given a 2-point penalty for having completed more than one day of F4 testing, the same situation for Canonica. Nevertheless, all three demonstrated outstanding control of the car, with just a one-point difference between them, a clear sign of their exceptional preparation and talent.
An innovative and transparent evaluation system.
The Steering Wheel Award 2025 stood out for its unique approach: the usual focus on lap times in motorsport competitions was deliberately excluded from the final evaluation. Instead, the goal was to assess the drivers globally, emphasizing the fundamental skills needed for a successful career.
An algorithm developed by Wolf Racing Cars analyzed each participant’s ability to achieve the goals set out in the various exercises, ensuring precise and transparent measurement. In addition, a panel of industry experts scored participants from 1 to 5 on parameters such as professionalism, approach to testing, learning curve, consistency, and growth potential.
This method allowed the judges to evaluate the drivers not for raw speed but for their overall qualities, rewarding those who demonstrated the greatest preparation, versatility, and attitude toward becoming a motorsport professional.
Federico Sbardellati, a talent to watch.
A special mention goes to Federico Sbardellati, one of the brightest drivers on track and in the running for the final victory, but excluded from the official ranking because he had not yet turned 14 at the time of the contest. A young talent who will undoubtedly make a name for himself in the coming seasons.
A gateway to the future.
Thanks to his victory, Simone Bianco will now have the opportunity to participate for free in the 2025 Italian Sport Prototypes Championship, a unique opportunity to prove his worth on a national stage. But the event highlighted the enormous potential of all 20 participants, who represent the future of Italian motorsport. It is no surprise that, just days after the conclusion of the Steering Wheel Award, applications for the next edition, scheduled for 2025, have already been received. The Wolf Racing Cars team is already at work to replicate – and surpass – the success of this year.
Wolf Racing Cars has demonstrated that the future of Italian motorsport is in excellent hands. And the young drivers are ready to rise to the challenge.
