Donell Straton, age 10, has been selected by McLaren Formula One driver Lando Norris to become a virtual FIA F1 Future Star.
Donell will also take part in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 2nd August.
Norris (20) was joined by Sky Sports F1 Presenter and former F1 driver, Karun Chandhok; BBC Radio 5 Live F1 Presenter Jennie Gow; and F1 Correspondent for The Sun, Ben Hunt, as they viewed the video entry submissions.
Young karter, Donell, impressed the judges with his passionate video entry where he showed off his karting trophy collection and explained why Ayrton Senna was his F1 hero.
Motorsport UK’s nationwide competition invited young karters and children of Motorsport UK members who work for the NHS to submit a 30-second video explaining why they want to be an F1 Future Star, who their F1 hero is and why, and what it would mean to represent the discipline of karting or the NHS at the British Grand Prix.
The winners will join 2019 Motorsport UK Bambino Kart Time Trial and Race Champions, Harry Freeman and Jesse Philips, as virtual FIA F1 Future Stars.
Motorsport UK’s F1 Future Stars will represent the NHS and UK Karting to millions watching the British Grand Prix around the world.
Norris said: “All of the entrants had a good passion for racing, were really enthusiastic and showed their love for the sport.”
Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO, added: “I’d like to congratulate Donell and all of our worthy winners and thank our panel for judging such a close competition. It’s been great to welcome the children of NHS workers in this year’s competition as a way of thanking them for the brilliant work that they’ve been doing on the NHS frontline.”
‘F1 Future Stars’ was launched in 2018 by Formula 1 and the FIA, offering young motorsport enthusiasts the chance to accompany the F1 drivers on the start grid for the national anthem before each race. Due to the current global health context, Motorsport UK and Formula 1® are offering the experience virtually in 2020, with the opportunity exclusively available to both the children of Motorsport UK members who work for the NHS and Motorsport UK Kart licence holders, many of whom aspire to progress towards the pinnacle of the sport themselves.
