Scotland hosts young FIA stars 11 | 12 | 2011
EIGHTEEN OF THE world's leading young motorsport drivers, including Golspie's Lewis Williamson, will be pushed to their physical limits in Scotland over the next three days.
The 18 elite racers are members of the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy which begins its first workshop in Edinburgh today.
Based at Edinburgh University, the drivers — from countries including South Africa, Germany, USA, Italy, Spain and Columbia — will face a number of intensive tests.
The three-day workshop starts today with a physiology lecture. From then on they will undergo a gruelling mixture of workouts — including a daunting run up and down Arthur's Seat (pictured) — which will test their physical and mental capabilities, while laying the foundations for the year of learning which lies ahead.
Academy Performance managers — former world rally champion co-driver, Robert Reid from Perth, and Austria's ex-F1 racer Alex Wurz — will oversee the sessions.
Red Bull role for Highlander Lewis Williamson
The most gruelling of these will feature a workout in a heat chamber set at 40 degrees to demonstrate the importance of hydration and preparation.
"It's very exciting to be at the start of a new programme with 18 new drivers," Reid said. "This workshop is about setting goals for the season ahead.
"We'll be showing the drivers what's to come in the Academy programme in terms of training, and what we expect of them in the classroom, at the gym and on the track."
And Williamson, a member of the Red Bull F1 Young Driver Development Programme and who will race in the Renault F3.5 World Series next season, is hesitatingly looking forward to the experience.
"Being selected to be a member of the FIA elite squad is a major boost for my career," the 22-year-old Highlander said. "It's a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop.
"Am I looking forward to it? Of course I am, and it's terrific that the first workshop is in Scotland: the rest are dotted around the world.
"But it's a baptism of fire. We all know we're going to be pushed to the absolute physical limit in these tests, so it's going to be a bit of a nightmare.
"But like everything else in life, if you want to get to the top you have to push, and push, and push; and that's exactly what I'll be doing over the next three days."
Scot Paul di Resta top Formula One rookie
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill