Honda Partner JAS Launches Driver Development Program

Honda partner JAS Motorsport has launched its own driver development program with intentions of placing members in GT3 or TCR race seats next year.

The Italian company, which builds the Honda NSX GT3 Evo and the Honda Civic Type R TCR, is aiming to provide a footing for young drivers through an 18-month course.

JAS is responsible for running the factory Honda effort in Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli and also operated the manufacturer’s FIA World Touring Car program from 2012 to 2017.

The JAS Motorsport driver development program is designed to advance each member’s skills through a variety of sessions taking place both on and off-track.

Expertise and coaching will be provided by the JAS team based in Milan while Honda Racing drivers will also contribute to the education program.

Members will be embedded into Honda customer racing operations at certain events this year as part of the learning process, while the program’s intention is to place members in GT3 or TCR race seats for the 2021 season.

The drivers that will feature on the scheme have yet to be announced. Sportscar365 understands that as many as four could be selected.

JAS Motorsport CEO Alessandro Mariani explained that he hopes the development program will “turn promising racers into complete racing drivers” for the future.

“At JAS Motorsport we are always looking towards the future and at ways to continue to enhance our position within the motorsport community,” he said.

“Helping young and talented individuals to learn and flourish within JAS has been one of the key reasons for our continued success and created a high regard for our technical and operations staff.

“This is one of the key reasons that we now wish to give a similar opportunity to young drivers.

“The opportunity to create a formal driver-education process will allow more young racers than ever before to become embedded within the JAS Motorsport family and learn from the decades of experience our term personnel have amassed in international motorsport.”