Alexander Rossi accepted into FIA Driver Excellence Academy

American racing driver Alexander Rossi has been selected by the FIA Institute to take part in its inaugural Young Driver Excellence Academy in 2011.

Alexander is one of twelve drivers from across the world, and from a variety of racing formulae, that have been accepted onto this prestigious program following an intensive three-day shoot out.

Eighteen drivers, who had been nominated for the Academy by their FIA-affiliated national sporting associations, took place in the three-day assessment in Austria, which consisted of being put through their paces on the track, at the gym and in the classroom.

The driving elements of the assessment included an examination of various skills behind the wheel. The candidates were then put through a mixture of exercises in the gym to test muscle strength and endurance for the key areas associated with high performance motor sport athletes. Finally, the drivers' intelligence, common sense and ability to multi-task were assessed through a variety of team assignments, including solving equations for fuel loads.

The main aims of the Young Driver Excellence Academy are to prepare young drivers to compete at the top of their sport, to increase skills in the area of driver and road safety and to actively promote safety, fairness and responsibility both on and off the track.

Alexander and the other Academy members will be coached by former Formula One race driver Alexander Wurz and his company Test and Training International, and by former World Rally Champion co-driver Robert Reid and his company Elite Sports Performance.

Alexander Wurz, who is an FIA Institute Academy performance manager, commented; "We had a fantastic three days at our selection event in Austria and we were really impressed with both the talent and the attitude of the drivers. I am now looking forward to working with each of the participants in the Academy to help them develop the skills they need to fulfil their impressive potential."

The first training session will take place in Edinburgh later this month. Over the next nine months, participants will attend six separate workshops of between three and five days at different locations in Europe. The driving elements of the course will include the development of technical skills, safety training, attitudes and awareness. The human performance aspect will feature physiology, psychology, nutrition, media skills and career management.

FIA Institute Director General Richard Woods, commented; "Alexander Rossi impressed all of our judges during the three day assessment for a place in the FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy. He proved to be an all-rounder and a driver with a lot of potential; performing well in all areas of the tests. Alexander already has an impressive racing CV and we are very much looking forward to working with him and our other finalists this year to help them all to continue to grow and develop as professional drivers, both on and off the track."

Alexander Rossi commented; "It is an honor to be accepted into the FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy. It was an intensive three days of assessment in Austria and there was a lot of strong competition from the other drivers. I am always aiming to be the best that I can be and I'm confident that the Academy will assist me in this goal by helping me develop my skills both on and off the track."

Alexander concludes; "I am looking forward to working with Alexander Wurz, Robert Reid and their teams over the course of the year. As racing drivers who both had a lot of success in their careers, their advice and support will be invaluable."

ROSSI 2011 PARTNERS INCLUDE;

INTEL, Alaska Coffee Roasting, InterVision, Astech Consulting, Kial James Design, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Alan K. Wong M.D, Norlie International, Meyers Investment Group, North Miami Travel, Sierra Timberline, Century Equipment Company, AlpineStars, McSweeney and Associates, Grass Valley Sign and G. Russell Enterprises

-source: alexander rossi