Aston Martin F1 Launches Driver Academy with Mari Boya as First Recruit
The Aston Martin F1 team has officially launched its Driver Academy, with Mari Boya of Spain, a current FIA Formula 3 driver and three-time Spanish karting champion, as its inaugural recruit. This initiative aims to cultivate young talent across various racing disciplines, aligning with practices seen at other leading Formula 1 teams.
The academy, designed to support drivers from karting through to F1, builds on the team’s existing development program featuring Formula 2 standout Jak Crawford. Aston Martin’s team principal, Andy Cowell, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to driver development. "We are proud to launch the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team Driver Academy," Cowell stated. "This program is an opportunity to shape the next generation of drivers, helping them grow both on and off the track."
Boya, currently competing in Formula 3 with Campos Racing, will carry Aston Martin branding at this weekend’s event at the Red Bull Ring. He enters the weekend in 13th place in the standings, having achieved one podium finish this season in Monaco and a win in last year’s reverse-grid sprint at Barcelona.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Boya remarked, "Joining the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Driver Academy is a dream come true. I look forward to absorbing knowledge from a team with such ambition in Formula 1 and excited for the opportunities ahead."
The academy signifies Aston Martin’s commitment to identifying and nurturing emerging talent within motorsports, echoing the aspirations of the current F1 landscape.
