The FIA Institute has chosen 25 drivers to take part in a three-day event to decide who will make it into the 2013/14 Young Driver Excellence Academy.

The selection process this year involves a series of five qualifying events across the world to give as many drivers as possible the opportunity to participate. This first event, for drivers from Europe, will take place in Tee-sdorf, Austria between July 21 and 24.

Each National Sporting Authority (ASN) in the region was asked to put forward their nomination which was then assessed by the FIA Institute. Drivers had to meet a set of minimum criteria, as well as having demonstrated strong performance in competition so far.

Jacques Mizzi, currently racing in the Renault Clio Cup GB Championship, was shortlisted from 42 entries received for the European decider.

The list includes some of the most talented young drivers in motor racing and rallying, including competitors from the FIA Formula 3 European Cham-pionship, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Inter-continental Rally Challenge.

Only one driver from each race will be guaranteed a place in the Academy, but there are also a further three wildcard places up for grabs at the end of the worldwide selection process, making a total of eight parti-cipants in the final Academy group.

The European event will be led by former F1 driver and two-time Le Mans winner Alex Wurz and former World Rally champion co-driver Robert Reid.

They will oversee exercises designed to evaluate fitness and driving performance, media techniques, teamwork and psychology.

Wurz said: “I’m excited that so many drivers from around the world will have access to the selection events for this year’s Academy.

“With 25 drivers from across Europe we will have a competitive field to choose from. To succeed they will have to prove themselves physically and mentally, and also in terms of safety and discipline.”