Armstrong’s after the big prize
There’s applause as he rolls into the pit lane, helmet off, wearing a whisper of a grin .
The media are lining up for their turn, as fans behind the fences capture the moment on their smart phones.
The car is a mixture of bright red and carbon fibre. Emblazoned on the side is the unmistakable “Prancing Horse” of Ferrari, and on the rear wing end- plates proudly flies an image of a silver fern.
You could be forgiven for thinking you’re observing some kind of parallel universe variant of Formula 1 while watching the Castrol Toyota Racing Series. Hell, three of the cars on the grid are stickered up to look like current F1 cars.
That’s no accident. Many of these drivers have a berth in the world’s biggest racing show in their targets. And one of those drivers is Marcus Armstrong.
He emerges from the Ferrari- red Toyota FT- 50, the grin morphing into a beam, just minutes after winning the first race of the season in his hometown of Christchurch while on debut.
It was a win punctuated by one of the most immense passes for the lead we've seen — one that had a whole media room recoiling in awe.
But you don't need to turn the clock back too far to get to a time where he played the role of passionate fan.
“I have vivid memories of being Marcus Armstrong, 16, took the flag at Ruapuna last weekend. He hopes to have his first road car soon: a Fiat 500. on that banking over there,” Armstrong says, gesturing to the mound near the pit exit during our interview the next day.
“I would’ve been only 4 or 5 years old, and just screaming at the Porsches because Dad was racing Porsches at the time.”
There are many respects in which Armstrong comes across like any other teenager. He recently sat his learner's licence test for example, failing at his first attempt.
“I didn’t really study, if I’m honest,” he sheepishly admits.
“Luckily the questions were pretty similar the second time around and I got it — just.”
He's hoping to get a Fiat 500 as a first car, in preparation for the test for his restricted licence.
“The best thing I could get is a modest car. The tutor is probably going to give me a few downgrades otherwise.
“I’ll be heel- toeing into roundabouts.”