MSA nominates Sims and Adam for FIA Academy

MSA nominates Alexander Sims and Adam Gould for FIA Institute Academy

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has selected Team UK drivers Alexander Sims and Adam Gould as its nominations for the new FIA Institute Academy worldwide driver development initiative.

Each national sporting authority (ASN) will nominate a maximum of two competitors from which the FIA will select 20 finalists to attend a three-day selection event at a training facility in Austria next February. Ten of these drivers will then be invited to join the scheme, which aims to develop the skills and attitudes they require to progress their motor sport careers.

Sims, 22, finished fourth overall in this year's Formula 3 Euro Series with one race victory, scored a dominant Invitation Class win in the British F3 International Series at Silverstone and was runner-up in the Masters of Formula 3 event, for which he took pole position. Meanwhile Gould's commitment in his British Rally Championship programme has attracted widespread commendation, as the 23-year-old was able to deliver some outstanding performances throughout the year.

MSA National Race Coach David Brabham, who runs the Team UK programme, said: "We've worked with Alexander and Adam for a number of years on the Team UK programme and both are now ready to take the next step in their training and development. Although there will be strong opposition for them to make the final 10 in this global shoot-out, I am confident that either one of them would be a fantastic ambassador for the MSA, for Team UK and for British motor sport."

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said: "The FIA Institute Academy is a fantastic initiative and for a progressive governing body such as the MSA, it provides the perfect opportunity for graduates of our domestic training programme to take the next step. Both Alexander and Adam have developed significantly as athletes during their time within the MSA Academy and I am sure they will acquit themselves extremely well should they make it to Austria."

-source: msa