Apply

If you have the talent and not the money

We take about five drivers a year, aged 12 to 17, from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We cover the cost of the racing, and we coach you in person at Modena. Applications are open from 1 September to 30 November.

This page in Italiano , Français , العربية .

Who can apply

Four things we look for

  • You are 12 to 17

    On 1 March of the year you would start with us.

  • You are racing now

    In karting, at regional level or above, or in an entry single-seater category such as F4.

  • You live in Europe, the Middle East or Africa

    We will help with the travel, the visas and the paperwork. You do not need to speak Italian. Sessions are in English, and we will help while yours improves.

  • Money is what is stopping you

    Places go to drivers who could not otherwise keep going. You do not need to be the fastest in your series. We look for drivers who are hungry, who learn quickly, and who are held back by money rather than ability.

A place covers

Equipment
Yes
Coaching
Yes
Data and analysis
Yes
Travel to residencies and key events
Yes
Cost to your family
None

The application year

From September to March

  1. 1 September

    Applications open

    Send us your application by email. The window is the same every year.

  2. 30 November

    Applications close

    We read every application in full. Everyone hears back from us before the end of December, whatever the answer.

  3. December to January

    Video assessment

    If you are shortlisted, we send you a short list of exercises to film: on-board and from the side of the track. We review them together as a coaching staff.

  4. February

    Assessment days at Modena

    Finalists come to Bridge HQ for two days with a parent or guardian. We pay for the travel and the accommodation. You will drive on the kart circuit, spend time in the sim suite and the workshop, and talk to us.

  5. March

    The year begins

    About five drivers start the programme with the first residency block. How a year works.

How to apply

What to send

There is no form. Email the five things below to us, and attach or link the video.
  1. 1

    Your results

    From the last two seasons, with the championship or series named.

  2. 2

    A reference from your coach

    Or from whoever knows your driving best: a team owner, a mechanic, a club official.

  3. 3

    A short video

    On-board footage of one clean lap and one race start is enough. A phone is fine.

  4. 4

    A few lines from you

    In your own words and your own language: why you race, and what you want to get better at.

  5. 5

    A parent or guardian’s contact

    Name, email and the language they are most comfortable in.

Email your application apply@thebridgefoundation.org

About money

A conversation, not a form

If you reach the assessment days, we will talk with your family about your situation. We do this because places go to drivers who would not otherwise be able to continue, and we want to be sure we are using them well.

There is no income threshold and no financial paperwork to fill in. It is a conversation, usually with Berto Marchetti, our Director of Operations. It is not part of how we score drivers, and what is said stays with us.

Families are not asked to pay for anything. Information for families.

Being honest

The odds

For the 2029 intake we received 146 applications for five places. Most good drivers who apply will not get one. If you do not, we will tell you why if you ask, and you are welcome to apply again the following year. Several of our students did.