Pirelli Star Driver was an initiative to support young rally drivers, organised by Pirelli and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).[1]

History

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For the first two years of the scheme, 2009 and 2010, five drivers were selected from four FIA Championships, one from the African Rally Championship, one from the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, two from the European Rally Championship and one from the Middle East Rally Championship. The driver selection process was conducted by each individual FIA region.

The five drivers then competed in six events of the World Rally Championship, driving in identical Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, prepared by Ralliart Italy.

The scheme was changed for the 2011 season. 16 drivers were nominated for a global shootout, from which six drivers were selected. They will compete in the new WRC Academy in Ford Fiesta R2s.

Drivers

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Ott Tänak driving one of the Pirelli Star Driver cars on the 2010 Rally Finland.
 
Jarkko Nikara driving at 2009 Rally Finland
Year Drivers Representing
2011   Andrea Crugnola Europe
  Craig Breen
  Fredrik Åhlin
  Jan Černý
  Brendan Reeves Asia-Pacific
  Molly Taylor Women & Motor Sport Commission
2010   Ott Tänak Europe
  Alex Raschi
  Hayden Paddon Asia-Pacific
  Peter Horsey Africa
  Nicholai Georgiou Middle East
2009   Jarkko Nikara Europe
  Martin Semerád
  Mark Tapper Asia-Pacific
  Nicos Thomas Middle East
  Jon Williams Africa

WRC results

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Year Driver Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 WDC Points
2009   Jarkko Nikara Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X IRE NOR CYP POR
41
ARG ITA
11
GRE
Ret
POL FIN
Ret
AUS ESP
17
GBR
35
- 0
  Martin Semerád IRE NOR CYP POR
38
ARG ITA
Ret
GRE
Ret
POL FIN
Ret
AUS ESP
Ret
GBR
14
- 0
  Mark Tapper IRE NOR CYP POR
28
ARG ITA
Ret
GRE
20
POL FIN
Ret
AUS ESP
Ret
GBR
17
- 0
  Nicos Thomas IRE NOR CYP POR
Ret
ARG ITA
Ret
GRE
Ret
POL FIN
Ret
AUS ESP
Ret
GBR
23
- 0
  Jon Williams IRE NOR CYP POR
23
ARG ITA
28
GRE
18
POL FIN
21
AUS ESP
44
GBR
28
- 0
2010   Ott Tänak Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X SWE MEX JOR TUR
Ret
NZL POR
Ret
BUL
FIN
18
GER
31
JPN FRA
19
ESP
GBR
17
0 -
  Alex Raschi SWE MEX JOR TUR
27
NZL POR
30
BUL
FIN
28
GER
Ret
JPN FRA
26
ESP
GBR
28
0 -
  Hayden Paddon SWE MEX JOR TUR
26
NZL POR
20
BUL
FIN
21
GER
19
JPN FRA
35
ESP
GBR
19
0 -
  Peter Horsey SWE MEX JOR TUR
Ret
NZL POR
35
BUL
FIN
40
GER
45
JPN FRA
Ret
ESP
GBR
38
0 -
  Nick Georgiou SWE MEX JOR TUR
29
NZL POR
33
BUL
FIN
41
GER
43
JPN FRA
48
ESP
GBR
33
0 -

WRC Academy Results

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Year Driver Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pos. Points
2011   Andrea Crugnola Ford Fiesta R2 POR
7
ITA
6
FIN
Ret
GER
3
FRA
Ret
GBR
8
6th 35
  Craig Breen POR
Ret
ITA
8
FIN
2
GER
1
FRA
Ret
GBR
1
1st 111
  Fredrik Åhlin POR
Ret
ITA
3
FIN
Ret
GER
6
FRA
8
GBR
13
6th 35
  Jan Černý POR
Ret
ITA
4
FIN
5
GER
5
FRA
Ret
GBR
Ret
7th 33
  Brendan Reeves POR
3
ITA
5
FIN
4
GER
13
FRA
Ret
GBR
14
5th 37
  Molly Taylor POR
8
ITA
Ret
FIN
8
GER
14
FRA
5
GBR
5
11th 27

See also

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References

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  1. ^ David Evans. "FIA plans major revamp of World Rally Championship ladder by 2019". Autosport. Retrieved 10 June 2019.