YOUNG TALENT DELIVERS RESULTS ON TRACK

The opening round of the Iberian Supercars, Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, and Supercars España showcased a high calibre of driving throughout the field, with young talents from the FPAK Junior Team playing a key role - further validating the joint initiative put together by the Federação Portuguesa de Automobilismo e Karting (FPAK) and series promoter Race Ready.

Now in its third edition, the programme fields young drivers in agile and competitive Ginetta G40s. The 2025 line-up includes Diogo Figueiredo Castro, João Faria, Martim Romão, Rodrigo Vilaça, Tomás Gomes, and Tomás Martins. Meanwhile, five graduates from the scheme have already progressed to higher categories, proving the FPAK Junior Team’s value in developing talent for the sport.

In the season opener, Duarte Camelo, Henrique Moura Oliveira, Henrique Ventura Oliveira, Lourenço Monteiro, and Rúben Silva made their mark.

As Lourenço Monteiro, now racing a McLaren Artura GT4 for McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport alongside José Cautela, explains: "even though I’d already made the transition from karting to cars two years earlier, the programme introduced me to different car types, particularly GTs, which is where I’ve always felt at home. It also familiarised me with slick tyres. Being part of the FPAK Junior Team helped me adapt to more powerful, higher-grip GT machinery”.

This season, 2024 alumni Henrique Moura Oliveira and Rúben Silva are sharing a BMW M4 GT4 (F82) for Monteiro Competições in the GTX division, and battled for class honours in Algarve.

“The Junior Team was key in my transition from karting to racing,” says Henrique Moura Oliveira. “With César Campaniço’s support and the great environment at Monteiro Competições, it helped me adjust to motorsport. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Teammate Rúben Silva adds: “It’s a launchpad. It gave us both experience and structure. We stepped into GT4 fully prepared thanks to that foundation. Projects like the FPAK Junior Team are vital for the future of Portuguese motorsport. There’s talent here — we just need the right tools to prove it.”

Hailing from Faia, Sernancelhe, Rúben Silva also highlights the programme’s professionalism: “I learned how to operate as a professional, on and off the track. Monteiro Competições supported us immensely, and César Campaniço mentored us in everything — from data analysis to how to behave in a proper racing paddock.”

Henrique Ventura Oliveira, driving the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 for Racar Motorsport with Luca Savu, also had a strong showing in Algarve. “Without the FPAK Junior Team, I wouldn't have stepped into car racing so early. It opened doors that wouldn’t have otherwise opened. I learned how race cars and teams work and got to drive on the best circuits in Portugal and Spain,” says the young driver from Ericeira.

Also catching the eye was former rallycross driver Duarte Camelo, a member of the inaugural FPAK Junior Team in 2023. Now in his third season in circuit racing, Camelo secured victory in the GTX class at Portimão, sharing a Porsche Cayman CS with Pompeu Simões. Representing Speedy Motorsport, Camelo points out the solid grounding the FPAK programme provided: “It gave me the chance to meet new drivers and embrace fresh challenges. From César’s coaching to the team’s support, everything was geared towards helping young drivers thrive.”

The FPAK Junior Team’s success is evident in these personal accounts. As Rúben Silva puts it: “This support must continue. The project only makes sense if it follows us through to the next level — professional racing. We want to honour this project with results, commitment and professionalism, showing that it’s a worthy investment.”

Looking ahead, Diogo Figueiredo Castro, João Faria, Martim Romão, Rodrigo Vilaça, Tomás Gomes and Tomás Martins are the next generation of hopefuls. Early signs are promising, and the grid could see more FPAK Junior Team graduates rising through the ranks by 2026.