Mercedes-Benz India recently concluded the second season of their ‘Young Star Driver Programme’ at the Buddh International Circuit. Six finalists were selected among five thousand nine hundred seventy young aspirants, who were handed over AMG cars at the track. Season 2 of the programme was open for racing aspirants between 18 years to 25 years of age. 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 7th August 2014 and the grand finale concluded on 8th August 2014.
The six finalists competed against each other for the best lap time in a CLA 45 AMG. The finalists for the title were G Vikash Anand (Chennai); Ali Yawar Hayat (Bengaluru); Alisha Abdullah (Chennai); Chetan Korada (Chennai); S Raj Bharath (Bengaluru), Advait Deodhar (Mumbai).
Drivers who finished on the podium:
Position | Drivers Name | Place | Lap Time |
1st | Raj Bharath | Bangalore | 2:26:708 |
2nd | G Vikash Anand | Chennai | 2:28:622 |
3rd | Ali Yawar Hayat | Bangalore | 2:29:255 |
The winner of the ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver Programme Season II’ gets a seat in the AMG Driving Academy PRO-Training in Germany; the runners-up get the AMG Driving Academy BASIC & ADVANCED course in India. The winner also gets to meet Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One team drivers, Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg, at the Singapore Grand Prix this year.