Ecotricity-backed E-Karting Racing driver, Max Winfield, 13, finished strongly this year, retaining the Southern Junior Championship for the second time.
A year of consistent performances with 8 podium finishes in as many races and 448 points secured the Championship title by one point.
Winfield is now a favourites for more podium finishes at the national E Karting finals.
Global Karting League is run by former F1 legend and ex-Ferrari chief engineer Rob Smedley, providing a credible and affordable pathway for drivers to reach the top of motorsport, that identifies talent from ages 6-17.
The powerful, high-tech electric karts are designed by F1 engineers and are the lightest and fastest electric karts in the world, reaching top speeds of 70mph. They arrive and drive format ensures the racing is fast and fair, so talent comes first, as opposed to other petrol kart series.
The National E-Karting Finals saw the very best drivers from all over the country battle it out at Whilton Mill’s International circuit in Daventry.
The Junior categories allows 12–16-year-olds to compete at the highest level of karting to see which drivers have got what it takes to move in to the next level of motor sport racing.
The format of the racing follows qualifying sessions, followed by heats and finals with some thrilling wheel-to-wheel action.
The Ecotricity backed driver, Max Winfield put in some fast laps, qualifying in P3 just behind Brazilian driver Castro P2, with Harrison on pole.
Winfield, the Year 8 Westonbirt school boy said: “I’m looking forward to some close racing in the final. This is the strongest field I’ve raced against so far and the older kids like to get their elbows out, so you must be really strong and focused.’’
Winfield didn’t get a great start in the final and found himself back in 8th position by the end of the second lap.
Winfield made up and incredible 6 places in just 4 laps to finish in an impressive 2nd place with the fastest lap in the wet.
In the post-race interview Winfield said: “It was a crazy final for me. Being one of the lighter drivers means I have a lot of lead added to the race kart and I really felt this in the kart handling to begin with.
“It’s very different from if you have the physical weight on your body that you can move around the seat in to and out of corners that gives you better grip and balance. I kind of wasn’t surprised that I fell behind to begin with, but as soon as it started to rain, I just smiled and knew that I had a great chance to make up some positions.’’
When he was asked how he finds the grip in the wet when others seem to struggle, Winfield added: “From the age of 7 my dad took me to our local outdoor kart club, Blackbushe, and made me race in all conditions through the winter months. He used to send me out on slick tyres in the wet, which at the time seemed very harsh, but it’s how I learnt to find the most grip and drive in extreme wet conditions like today. Most drivers can be quick in the dry and fear wet conditions but if you race in the UK you must know how to race in the rain.
“I am extremely grateful for the support from Dale Vince and Ecotricity for believing in me and green racing. I also take a lot of inspiration from Zac O’Sullivan who is from Cheltenham and had his first Formula 1 drive for the Williams team in Abu Dhabi last weekend. I hope I can follow in his footsteps.’’
You can watch Winfield’s post qualifying interviews on Instagram, @maximilianwinfield
