LEWIS FRANCIS TAKES THE NEXT STEPS ALONG HIS MOTORSPORT PATH
A SCOTCH BOY ' S FORMULA 1 DREAM
LEWIS FRANCIS ( KART 308 ) LEADS DURING A RECENT RACE
Many a young person has dreamed of emulating Daniel Ricciardo , Lewis Hamilton or perhaps up-and-coming Australian driver , Oscar Piastri , and entering the frenetic world of Formula 1 motor racing . But for all of them it probably remains just that – a dream .
But not for Lewis Francis . Lewis first drove a go-kart at the age of four , after watching his elder brother race at tracks around the country . By the time he was eight , Lewis had competed in his first kart race , and over the following years he built up a very impressive record , winning two Australian championships , many state championships and a diverse range of open championships in various categories .
That ’ s where his dream of ultimately becoming an F1 driver originated and he has never wavered from striving to make the dream a reality .
Now aged 13 , Lewis has been at Scotch since prep and would have been in Year 8 this year . Instead , he has relocated to Italy in the care of his mother , Jessica , to pursue his F1 aspirations . Lewis ’ father , Brian , has remained in Australia to work and also to raise funds for Lewis ’ campaign . Lewis will be in Italy for at least one year where he is
continuing his schooling via the Australian Government ’ s Remote Schools Program .
Lewis is racing in the European and World Karting Championships , which is where F1 scouts go to find raw talent and where success gains attention in elite motor racing circles . Lewis races for KR Motorsport , a leading team which has worked with drivers of the calibre of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg ( both of whom have won F1 World Drivers ’ Championships – Hamilton has won seven ). He will compete in 15 races this season , as well as an additional 15 test days .
After kart racing in Italy , Lewis ’ next step will be to enter Formula 4 , which will also be in Europe . Competitors must be aged 15 and success in international karting facilitates entry into the best Formula 4 teams .
Five times Supercars champion , Mark Skaife described Lewis as an outstanding young man with a very bright future in motorsport . Mark said : ‘ He has strong commitment and loyal backing from his family to support his endeavours , and I have met with them on multiple occasions to understand the status of his career and assist him in his quest to be a professional motor racing driver . … I genuinely wish him the best of luck , and have offered to assist him whenever possible to achieve his goals .’
Lewis will value that assistance as he races in Europe this year , backed by the staunch support of his family . His Scotch schoolmates and the extended Scotch Family will watch his progress with interest .
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