Top Racing Drivers Lead Global Challenge to Crown The World’s
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, today announced 11 professional drivers from the world of motor sport as ambassadors for the 2026 season of the FIA Smart Driving Challenge (FIA SDC). Hailing from across the world of motor sport including four of the FIA’s World Championships, the drivers include:Yifei Ye, FIA World Endurance ChampionshipEdoardo Mortara, ABB FIA Formula E World ChampionshipYohan Rossel, FIA World Rally ChampionshipTaylor Gill, FIA World Rally ChampionshipRomet Jürgenson, FIA World Rally ChampionshipHana Burton, Racing Driver and Content CreatorAliyyah Koloc, FIA World Rally-Raid ChampionshipKelvin van der Linde, DTM, GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, Intercontinental GT ChallengeMalthe Jakobsen, FIA World Endurance ChampionshipKajetan Kajetanowicz, FIA World Rally ChampionshipTymek Kucharczyk, INDY NXT by FirestoneSharing their expertise from the pinnacle of motor sport, the ambassadors will lead teams of everyday drivers participating in the challenge through the FIA SDC app, and their social platforms, to inspire their team to climb the global leaderboard.Now in its eighth year, the FIA SDC is a challenge that rewards smart, safe and eco-friendly driving, with everyday drivers from around the world competing to help make roads safer and reduce environmental impact. Led by the FIA and powered by Greater Than’s AI technology, drivers simply download the FIA SDC app and connect to their car via Bluetooth, and the app does the rest, measuring safety and sustainability performance and providing drivers with scores and feedback to support lasting behaviour change.Participants can now join their chosen ambassador’s team in the FIA SDC app, gaining access to exclusive content and insights from their driver of choice, as well as key stats on their individual and team performance.Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism said: “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.”Johanna Forseke, CEO at Greater Than said: “It’s fantastic to see the continued momentum behind the FIA Smart Driving Challenge. The impressive results we see year-on-year are proof that the initiative resonates with the everyday driver. With a new ambassador line-up adding fresh energy to the challenge, it is well positioned to engage more drivers and have an even bigger impact globally.”Last season, drivers from 97 countries took part in the FIA SDC, with an average reduction in battery usage or CO2 emissions of 9%, increasing to almost 30% for the winning driver. Throughout the season, participants also drove with a 37.5% lower risk level than the average driver.*Running until December 2026, the FIA SDC features seven heats. The top 20 drivers qualify for the Playoffs, competing for two places in the live head-to-head Grande Finale in December. The winner will be crowned the World’s Smartest Driver.
