Formula 1 is a dream for many young racing drivers, but only a select few ever make it to the top of the sport. This season, eight drivers on the F1 grid are under the age of 25, showing that while the path is challenging, it’s not impossible for talented teenagers.
However, breaking into the sport remains difficult due to rising costs at the entry level. One driver who is working hard to climb the ranks is Jamie Leverton, a 17-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent. After several successful seasons in karting, he is preparing to make his debut in car racing by securing a seat in the GB4 Championship with Idola Motorsport.
Leverton’s journey began when his father took him indoor karting a few years ago. “I actually went through the cadet academy where I was beating some of the other kids,” he said. “Then I moved to outdoor karting with the Total Karting Championship and won it in my first season.”
His success has led him to this new challenge in the GB4 Championship, a step that many have taken before, including George Russell and Lando Norris. “This is a huge step up for me,” he said. “I’ve been testing with Idola for some time, and they’re a new team in this championship. I want to finish in the top 10 at every race.”
GB4 cars are considered the first step towards Formula 1, as they are downsized versions of F1 cars and can reach speeds of around 140-150mph. The 17-year-old is now following in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in motorsport.
Jamie’s mother, Erin Leverton, often supports him at races. “It’s incredible,” she said. “He’s only a teenager, he hasn’t even had a driving lesson, yet he races around these tracks at such high speeds. I’m on the pit wall watching him come past and then I see him take the corners and I think, ‘wow, that’s my son.'”
The GB4 Championship was launched in 2022 by Motor Sport Vision to help make the transition from go-karts to cars more affordable. It serves as a breeding ground for talent, with drivers who win the championship being awarded £50,000 to support their further development in motorsport.
Despite this initiative, the industry remains notoriously expensive. A season in GB4 costs about £18,000 for a team entry, and there are additional expenses like staffing and car maintenance. Because of this, most drivers need financial backing, either from family or sponsors. Some also seek places in F1 teams’ academies.
Leverton acknowledges the challenges and credits his sponsors for helping him through his karting years. “I definitely think I can make it into F1, but you’ve got to keep all your options open,” he said. “Sponsorship is vital to my success because without it, I wouldn’t be able to race.”
Leverton started the switch from go-karts to cars with the support of coach Steve Hutchinson, who has worked with McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri. “The relationship between me and Jamie starts before we even get to the track in the simulator,” Hutchinson said. “We’re pretty confident that Jamie is going to be safe and quick after some positive data in the sim, and that’s largely driven by his determination to succeed.”
“He’s driven. Jamie is constantly wanting to strive for more. We’re hoping to follow a similar path to Oscar, in that you don’t have to win everything in your first year, you just have to be on an upward trajectory.”
Leverton has been testing with Idola through March and April, and once the season begins, he will compete at five of the UK’s biggest circuits over seven race weekends. “I want to finish in the top 10 every race and hopefully get a few podiums and a few wins under my belt,” he said. “There are lots of second-year drivers who all want to win it this year, and with me being a first-year driver, it will be tough, but I think I can do it.”
His first race of the season will be at Silverstone from the 23rd to 26th of April.
