Young racer gets to meet his hero Lewis Hamilton
A YOUNG motor racer from Peckleton met his hero Lewis Hamilton on the Formula 1 grid at Silverstone.
Archie Clark, 9, was chosen as the Motor Sports Association’s F1 Future Star and was one of the grid kids at the 2018 Rolex F1 Grand Prix.
He was assigned to be the mascot for Sebastian Vettel, who went on to win the race, standing by him on the grid with a signed Ferrari cap and holding his placard.
The lucky little man interviewed Fernando Alonso for Blue Peter and introduced the day’s events for a German TV channel.
He also made a live appearance on BBC Radio Leicester’s Breakfast show.
Archie was among 20 youngsters chosen to meet the racers and commenta- tors in the pit rooms, with Lewis Hamilton insisting on getting a photo with him.
Mum Debbie went along with him for the day on the track.
She said: “We had the most amazing day.
“Archie said it was the best day of his life. He said to me, I’m going to go even faster from now on.”
Archie was picked for the special role after winning the MSA Bambino British Karting Championship in 2017.
The grid kids are usually given the honour as a prize in a special competition, making the MSA’s choice of Archie particularly sweet for him and his family.
He has now graduated to Cadet class, competing with racers up to the age of 13.
The ambitious young racer is already flying ahead in the class, finishing 8th in a race a few weeks ago.
Archie studies at Grace Dieu Manor School in Thringstone, which Debbie says “couldn’t be more supportive” of his endeavours on the track.
He trains on Wednesday evenings, usually at the Whilton Mill track in Daventry.
Petrol runs in the blood of the youngster’s family, as his grandfather Roger was a rally driver, and his dad Olly has competed at events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
His younger brother Ben also took part in the karting championship, coming in ninth place.
You can follow Archie’s progress on the Archie Clark Racing Facebook page.