The second annual gala of Austria’s only junior driver program was a stage for international F1 stars, but also a gathering of the local motorsport scene.
On Saturday, February 21, the Formelaustria Race Academy held its annual gala, which took place at the Courtyard by Marriott Prater Vienna in 2026. For the first time, there were four keynote speakers: former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen, former F1 race director Niels Wittich, former McLaren and Williams F1 team principal Jost Capito, and academy programme director Harry Miltner, who discussed the importance of developing young talent in motorsport.
Among the guests were international junior drivers such as F1 Academy ace Mathilda Paatz and Formula 4 rising star Max Karhan, as well as numerous Austrian drivers including Mick Wishofer, Patrick Schober, Raphael Rennhofer, Alina Loibnegger, Clara Stiebleichinger, and Tobias Poschik.
In front of a sellout crowd – which also included numerous fans – drivers Luis Moser (GT4 Germany) and Marcel Kieser (Formula 4) were honoured for their first successful season in the academy. The Formelaustria Race Academy, founded in June 2024 by HM Sports and Renauer Motorsport, is a two-year program that supports karting talents and top sim racers on their path to becoming professional racing drivers.
“Everyone wants an Austrian in Formula One, and to achieve that, you have to do your homework in developing young talent,” explained Jost Capito. “Therefore, what Harry Miltner has accomplished here cannot be praised highly enough.”
Academy founder Miltner was pleased adding: “Not only were we delighted that such big names as Magnussen, Wittich, and Capito have joined us; but also that the gala was so well received by the Austrian drivers.”
The medium-term goal is to transform the Formelaustria Race Academy Gala into a two-day motorsport conference and exhibition.
Niels Wittich, among others, believes this is “absolutely possible. Austria has a long tradition in motorsport; just think of Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Gerhard Berger, and others. Therefore, this event certainly has the potential to become something truly great.”
Share: