The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team is pleased to announce the expansion of its Driver Academy, welcoming DPK Racing karters Ava Lawrence and Roland Nagy to the programme. The team’s latest signings reflect its ongoing commitment to identifying, supporting, and developing the next generation of motorsport talent.
The team’s Driver Academy offers a clear pathway to the highest levels of racing, supporting drivers both on and off the track. It helps them develop, learn and grow, while providing the opportunities needed to succeed. The programme focuses on building long-term partnerships and actively scouting the brightest young talent across all levels of motorsport.
At just 11 years old, Australian-born Ava Lawrence has established herself as a rising force in international karting. Competing across Rotax, IAME and FIA-aligned categories, she has claimed multiple podium finishes and broken new ground as the first female MENA Cup Champion, the first female winner of a Mini race in ROK Cup Italy, and the first female driver to reach the podium in the Mini class of the Champions of the Future Academy.
Ava, who races under an Emirati licence, was recently selected to represent F1 Academy Discover Your Drive in this year’s British Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) Programme, having also been chosen to represent the initiative over the previous two seasons in the international series.
13-year-old Roland Nagy has emerged as a standout competitor in the premier OK-Junior category, making his mark on the international karting scene. Roland, from Hungary, is a regular contender in the sport’s most prestigious series, including the FIA Karting European Championship and the WSK Super Master Series. He has demonstrated his exceptional race craft and speed, notably securing heat victory at the opening round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series at La Conca.
Roland frequently qualifies for highly competitive finals, marking him as one of the most promising young Hungarian talents as he continues his progression toward the higher echelons of professional motorsport.
The Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy’s strategic partnership with DPK Racing, the official team of FA Alonso Kart chassis, provides access to a combined wealth of karting expertise and a global network, including that of Fernando Alonso. This collaboration strengthens the Academy’s ability to identify and nurture promising young talent from the earliest stages of their motorsport careers, and reflects the trust placed in the team’s karting expertise to help identify and develop these young drivers as they progress through the ranks.
Nuno Pinto, Racing Director, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver Academy: “Bringing in talent at a junior level is an important part of our strategy, and Ava and Roland are excellent examples of the calibre of young driver that we want to bring in the programme. Both drivers have already shown impressive potential on the international stage, with strong performances in highly competitive categories. Having the opportunity to contribute to a driver’s development from such an early stage is incredibly important, allowing us to help shape their progression both on and off the track as they continue to grow in the sport.”
Ava Lawrence, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver Academy: "I’m really excited to join the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy. It’s going to be such a huge step to help me improve my driving and become even better on track. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone on the team and learning from them.”
“Getting to visit the AMR Technology Campus (AMRTC) for my announcement was so cool. My favourite part of the day was seeing the different materials they use on the Formula One cars and actually getting to touch parts of the car. It was so interesting to see how it’s all made!”
Roland Nagy, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver Academy: “I’m really pleased to be a part of the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy. The team will be giving me a lot of support, which will be really important for my career, and I’m excited to learn as much as I can from everyone I meet inside the team.”
“It was really cool to visit the AMRTC. I really liked how it looks, both outside and inside – it's very futuristic. My favourite part was seeing how the cars are made. It’s amazing seeing Formula One cars up close and what they look like on the inside.”
Ava and Roland join current Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy members Mari Boya, competing in FIA Formula 2, and Mathilda Paatz, F1 Academy driver.