Will Hunt has been retained for the Motorsport UK Academy Team UK Futures development programme, which is designed to equip the UK’s most promising young drivers with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to maximise their performance.
Hunt was chosen for the Academy Squad in February 2020, having been identified as a racing driver with “exceptional potential”, but the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted Motorsport UK’s attempts to deliver its planned programme of specialist workshops, educational sessions and bespoke events.
Nevertheless, remote driver coaching from Motorsport UK Academy mentor James Wozencroft had a profound effect on Hunt’s mental approach to racing and translated into improved results and consistency on and off the track.
During a breakthrough 2020 season, the West Sussex racer accumulated two race wins, three podiums and a pole position to finish third in the definitive Radical SR1 Cup standings, validating the efficacy of Motorsport UK’s world-class development programme.
And Hunt’s rapid progression, work ethic and ongoing efforts to improve his fitness, raise his profile and generate sponsorship to further his fledgling motorsport career have not gone unnoticed, as he has been hand-picked for the newly introduced Team UK Futures initiative.
“Due to a disrupted 2020 season, the Motorsport UK Academy cohort couldn’t benefit from a full programme delivery,” said Motorsport UK Competitors Pathway Manager Katie Baldwin. “The Academy team felt that it was only fair that we retained many of last year’s athletes for another year. A lot of our drivers had to deal with a condensed race schedule, and social distancing measures meant that we couldn’t hold our face-to-face sessions. Whilst we tried to do as much as possible virtually, we’re really looking forward to seeing our drivers in person later this year and delivering exciting and informative sessions with our supporting partners.”
Hunt, who has committed to a fourth season in the Radical SR1 Cup, is looking forward to harnessing Motorsport UK Academy’s tailored support to further his personal and professional development within motor racing, saying: “I’m delighted to have been chosen for the Motorsport UK Academy ‘Class of 2021′. It makes the hard yards I’ve put in over the last 12 months worthwhile and I’m excited to see how far I can go under the new Team Futures UK structure, because while the 2020 Academy Squad programme was severely curtailed by the COVID-19 outbreak, it still had a significant impact on my performances.
“This nomination puts me on the pathway to Team UK at the pinnacle of the Motorsport UK Academy pyramid, so I’m more determined than ever to push forward and make the most of the bespoke one-on-one coaching I receive to maximise the 2021 season and prepare myself for the next stage of my motorsport career.”
