Teen gun looks to France for a drive
THE Formula 1 hopes of a Gold Coaster named Australia’s best emerging driver is under threat of being dashed due to the collapse of the Formula 4 series.
The decision by the Confederation of Australian Motorsports to can the Formula 4 series late last year means Lochie Hughes, 17, has been stranded without an open-wheeler category to compete in and battling to get the funding to reach Europe where he plans to launch into the next stage of his career.
The Southport School graduate has proved himself multiple times in his home nation.
Hughes was named the rookie of the round in every event of his first year in Formula 4 in 2018 on his way to being crowned the rookie of the championships.
Last year he was named Australia’s young driver of the year, a title that spans across every motorsport category, and finished second in the Formula 4 championship.
Hughes now needs the sponsorship backing, worth about $200,000 in racing costs this year, to compete in Europe where he aims to continue rising through the ranks and one day join former mentor Daniel Ricciardo in the Formula 1 championship.
“Racing is my life,” Hughes said. “It has been everything to me since I was 10 years old. I have never really cared about going out partying and all that sort of stuff.
“All I care about is racing, even when I was at school. It means everything to me.
“To be able to go to Europe and live my dream would be everything.
“I want to make it to Formula 1 and become the world champion one day so I’ll do everything I can to get there.”
Hughes said having the rug pulled from under him by the exit of Formula 4 was crushing.
“The goal was always to move to Europe eventually but you need to build some support in Australia to be able to go over to Europe,” he said.
“That was what that category was perfect for. We achieved some good things in Formula 4 in Australia.
“I believe 100 per cent that I have the ability and the talent.”
Hughes’ best opportunity to progress could come in the French Formula 4 Championship where success could land him a spot in Renault’s fully funded academy.
The season starts on April 11 but Hughes needs to be in France late this month for a testing day.