Information has emerged that Mercedes has added to its youth program. The managers of the German team have signed a contract with 13-year-old kart racer Yuanpu Chui.
The Chinese racer began karting at the age of six. He was bought a kart, and he immediately became interested in racing. Chui competed first at local level and then at national level.
This year, Chewie races at different levels in the OK Junior class.
Like many other Formula 1 teams, Mercedes has an extensive program to train young drivers from karting to a possible place in Formula 1. And now, another new talent has emerged.
The new member of the Mercedes youth program is Yuanpu Cui. Thirteen-year-old pilot from China currently stands for Kart Republic in the class OK Junior. Originally from Xi’an, China, Cui started racing professionally in 2014.
Cui became the sixth driver to officially join the Mercedes Junior program. Others include Frederick Westy (Formula 3), Paul Aron (European Formula Regional Championship) and fellow drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Alex Powell. Formula One driver George Russell still belongs to the Mercedes juniors and could replace Valtteri Bottas next year.
China is still waiting for its first Formula 1 driver. Alpine junior Guan Zhou currently seems to have the best chance to represent China in Formula One. With two wins, he currently leads the Formula 2 championship and has already done several tests in Formula 1.