Midlands Man Set To Lead F1 Team's Young Driver Academy

Photo Credit: Instagram/@patrickh_coach

Patrick Harding has worked with Arsenal, Michael Conlon, Team GB, and many more elite athletes.

A Laois man will be heading up the young driver program for the Williams F1 team.

Patrick Harding, who has been working as Alex Albon's performance coach for the last six years, will take responsibility in 2025 for the development of the next generation of drivers dreaming of making it to Formula One.

Harding's new role of Academy Performance Lead will see him plot career pathways for the team's two F2 drivers, one driver in F3, as well as racers in the Formula Academy, FRECA, and karting championships.

He says he's looking forward to taking on the challenge:

Meanwhile the Formula One headlines have been dominated by news of Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari.

Mercedes F1 staff have been told that Hamilton is leaving for the Italian team, during a meeting at the team's Brackley HQ.

It's not been formally announced yet, but it's understood the seven-time world champion will join the Scuderia from the 2025 season.

One of Hamilton's heroes is Michael Schumacher, who won five titles with Ferrari.

His brother, and former F1 driver Ralf, tells Sky Sports News it's natural to aspire to join the Italian giants:

Former F1 world champion Damon Hill does not think Lewis Hamilton would be joining Ferrari if he thought he could win an eighth title with Mercedes.

He says Hamilton may have lost faith in Mercedes delivering him a winning car:

More from Sports

Download Our App