The FIA has appointed 11 professional racing drivers as ambassadors for the 2026 FIA Smart Driving Challenge, the global initiative that rewards safe and sustainable driving practices through smartphone technology and artificial intelligence.
The ambassadors will lead teams of everyday drivers through the FIA Smart Driving Challenge app, providing exclusive content, insights, and expertise to help participants improve their road safety scores and reduce environmental impact. Team members gain access to performance statistics and guidance from their chosen ambassador through both the app and social media platforms.
Diverse Lineup Spans Multiple Championships
The ambassador roster draws from across the motorsport spectrum. From the World Endurance Championship comes Yifei Ye and Malthe Jakobsen, while Formula E is represented by Edoardo Mortara. The World Rally Championship contributes Yohan Rossel, Taylor Gill, and Romet Jürgenson, with World Rally-Raid Championship competitor Aliyyah Koloc also joining the group.
The lineup is completed by racing driver and content creator Hana Burton, DTM and GT specialist Kelvin van der Linde, rally ace Kajetan Kajetanowicz, and INDY NXT driver Tymek Kucharczyk.
Now in its eighth year, the challenge uses Greater Than’s artificial intelligence technology to measure driving performance via smartphone connectivity to vehicles. Participants download the app, connect via Bluetooth, and receive real-time feedback on their safety and sustainability scores.
“The FIA Smart Driving Challenge is unique in uniting everyday drivers with leading figures from the world of motor sport to help deliver safer, more sustainable mobility worldwide. By combining the latest AI technology with the expertise of elite drivers, this challenge is empowering individuals to turn small changes behind the wheel into a big difference on the road.”
Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism, emphasised the programme’s role in connecting professional motorsport with everyday road safety.
Proven Results from Previous Editions
Last season saw drivers from 97 countries participate, achieving an average reduction in battery usage or CO2 emissions of 9 per cent. The winning driver managed almost 30 per cent reduction. Participants also demonstrated a 37.5 per cent lower risk level compared to average drivers, highlighting the measurable impact of the programme’s feedback and gamification approach.
The technology provides instant analysis of driving behaviour, rewarding smoother acceleration, anticipatory braking, and efficient speed management — techniques familiar to professional racers now translated to public roads.
2026 Challenge Structure and Timeline
The 2026 challenge runs until December, featuring seven heats before the top 20 drivers advance to playoffs. Two finalists will compete in a live head-to-head finale for the title of World’s Smartest Driver, mirroring the competitive structure that has made the programme increasingly popular among participants seeking both environmental and safety improvements.
With the ambassador programme now expanded to 11 drivers from diverse racing backgrounds, the FIA aims to broaden the challenge’s appeal and reach new audiences across different motorsport fanbases throughout the year-long competition.