Mercedes-Benz
India successfully concluded the ‘Young Star Driver Programme’ Season II at the
Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Racing aspirants from across
India showcased their raw talent, racing acumen and grit on the F1 track. The
top six finalists among 5970 young aspirants for the Season II of Young Star
Driver programme displayed some unique driving skills and maturity to handle a
high performance AMG car, which is often associated with professional racers.
The finals of the Young Star Driver programme Season II was flagged off by
Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Vicky
Chandhok, a popular name in the Indian motorsports world.
The
six finalists vied with each other for the best lap time in a CLA 45 AMG. The
finalists were G Vikash Anand (Chennai); Ali Yawar Hayat (Bengaluru); Alisha
Abdullah (Chennai); Chetan Korada (Chennai); S Raj Bharath (Bengaluru), Advait
Deodhar (Mumbai).
Raj
Bharath from Bangalore with a timing of 2:26:708 came in first, while G Vikash
Anand of Chennai came in second with a timing of 2:28:622, while Ali Yawar Hayat of Bangalore came
in thirdwith a timing of 2:29:255
The
winner of the ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver Programme Season II’ gets a
dream come true opportunity of winning a coveted seat in the AMG Driving
Academy PRO-Training in Germany; the runners-up get the popular AMG Driving
Academy Basic & Advanced course in India. The winner also gets to meet F1
racing stars and Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team drivers, Lewis Hamilton
or Nico Rosberg, in the Singapore Grand Prix this year.
In
2013, Mercedes-Benz India created an exclusive platform to spot, nurture and
launch young talents with Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver Programme. The Season
II of the programme which was open for racing aspirants between 18 years to 25
years witnessed 5970 applications. After a nationwide stringent evaluation
process based on different criterions like racing acumen, racing aptitude and
accomplishment, the jury headed by Vicky Chandhok shortlisted the candidates. The jury comprised
of motorsport champions like Radhakrishnan Selvaraj, Narendhran, Gaurav Dalal, Goutham
Parekh and Amittrajit Ghosh.
The
shortlisted candidates were invited for the two days program at the Buddh
International Circuit. The jury members shortlisted 24 participants who were
adjudged against each other to qualify for the final 6 slots. The elimination
rounds were conducted on August 7, 2014and the grand finale concluded on August
8.