Wolf Racing Cars and ACI Sport have launched an exciting initiative aimed at young talents in the karting world: the Steering Wheel Award 2025. This competition, which kicked off in September, aims to promote the Italian Sports Prototype Championship, with the goal of turning it into one of the key training categories for the rising stars of international motorsport.
Out of the 43 applications received, 20 young karting drivers were selected, including six from abroad: Swiss driver Christian Canonica, Greek Vasilis Apostolidis, Romanian Victor Ionescu, Norwegian Cyrus A. Gargari, German Tim Melzer, and Colombian Daniel Perez Luis.
The selected Italian drivers are: Simone Bianco, Daniel Cogoni, Maria Luisa Della Pietra, Luca Esposito, Alberto "Kiko" Fracassi, Alberto Jr. Fulgori, Giacomo Maman, Nicolas Marchesi, Emanuele Romanelli, Lorenzo Rubens, Giacomo Pellegrino, Andrea Pizzo, Federico Sbardellati, and Marco Tormen.
These emerging talents will participate in two days of intensive tests under the guidance of the experienced Wolf Racing Cars team. During the tests, the young drivers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a highly professional and competitive environment. The winner of the contest will earn a unique opportunity: free participation in the 2025 Italian Sports Prototype Championship, opening the doors to a future in top-level racing.
Day 1: orientation and preparation
On November 6, the first day of the contest took place, dedicated to orientation and preparation. The best karting talents were welcomed at the new headquarters of Wolf Racing Cars, where they got to immerse themselves in the world of prototype racing. It was a crucial opportunity to get to know the environment, the team, and receive initial technical guidance. The goal of Day 1 was to prepare the young drivers for the track challenge scheduled at the Magione circuit on November 18 and 19.
Day 1 Program
The first day was structured in several phases at the Wolf Racing Cars headquarters:
An accessible alternative to traditional Single-Seaters
The initiative aims not only to reward the best talents but also to create an accessible training path for those who wish to make the leap from karting to race cars. With a reasonable participation cost — less than 100,000 euros for a full season — the Italian Sports Prototype Championship represents a valid alternative to the traditional single-seater training formulas, while maintaining competitive performance and technical features.
A Unique Experience for the Drivers of the Future
The Steering Wheel Award 2025 is much more than just a contest: it is a comprehensive training program for the drivers of the future. The goal is to provide the theoretical and practical foundations to become professional racers, ensuring a safety-oriented approach and skills development. The Wolf GB08 Raiden has been chosen as the official car for the Italian Sports Prototype Championship, offering young drivers a high-performance and technologically advanced platform.
A professional path on a budget
With this project, Wolf Racing Cars and ACI Sport are redefining the future of motorsport in Italy. The introduction of the Italian Sports Prototype Championship as an alternative to classic single-seater formulas is a bold option for young drivers, offering an accessible yet equally competitive professional path.
