Formula Junior, a true breeding ground for champions, was established in 1958. Over six seasons, it groomed numerous drivers and paved the way for four future Formula 1 World Champions. The idea was first proposed by Giovanni Lurani, a former driver and sportsman turned journalist, in November 1956. He envisioned a “Formula International Junior” category featuring single-seater cars powered by 1000 cc engines derived from touring cars. The goal was to keep costs low while providing an educational platform for young drivers to develop their skills.
Formula Junior emerged in 1958 during a time when legendary road races like the 1000 Miglia were fading, and the landscape of Italian racing talent was sparse. Its affordability quickly made the category popular across Europe. In addition to Ford’s contributions in England, the BMC four-cylinder engine was developed with great success. The Elva, one of the last front-engine single-seaters, is a notable example; the car displayed here is the very one driven by Peter Arundell, one of England’s top drivers in the category. Arundell began his career in Formula Junior and later became an official Lotus driver.
