It was 2015; I was a young boy with a passion for cars but little knowledge of the world of motorsport. That is until one fateful evening when I happened to catch one of Lewis Hamilton’s most dominant Formula One races on television. My passion for Formula One was struck alive; and later, I came to realise that Lewis Hamilton had inspired more than just that.

Where do I begin with Formula One? First of all, I must admit that as a child, although I loved cars, I didn’t fully grasp the concept. “Why race cars on a track when you can race them on a highway?” I thought, but then as I watched the TV, transfixed and heard: “AND THAT’S HAMILTON ONE TWO THREE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS”, I got it. He was a promising young driver who made the move from McLaren to Mercedes, which at the time was like moving from Arsenal to Newcastle. It started to feel like everyone else were driving a go-kart, and the more laps he took, the more he and the car became one. Every manoeuvre, gearshift, corner, perfect. From there, my admiration and respect for motorsport drivers generally increased, but especially for Hamilton.

I went on to become more interested in the sport and began watching it almost religiously every weekend. As I delved deeper into the world of Formula One, I wondered what this speed was, where it came from, what that whoosh was, and what was that whine? Electricity? I had so many questions that I wanted answers to. I first learned how aerodynamics worked, the complex sculpts and the hours of calculations that went into them, and as time passed, I even started sketching parts, my own designs. I found the sheer amount I had to study and learn almost overwhelming at times, but Lewis’ never-say-die attitude, so evident in his interviews, kept me going.

My ability to design cars improved as I grew older. I had started initially by drawing and making sketches, slowly making them realistic; I then started experimenting with various 3d modelling softwares and started making my own ideas. I knew that I would need to work harder if I wanted to succeed in motorsports. I studied the design of the cars by taking online courses and consuming as much material as I could, starting with the classic 200 horsepower bathtubs of the 50s and working my way forward, even setting up an instagram account to share my progress and display my work. This finally led to many people taking notice; these enthusiasts ranged from local car influencers and modification shops, all the way to fully-fledged racing icons hailed for their service to the kingdom of motorsport, such as Will Power and Tom Coronel.

One of the most interesting projects I’ve been working on recently is project Strada, a Roblox game where players can customise and compete in races with in-game cars. The feedback I’ve had already has been fantastic, and it has inspired me to keep working hard. Even though I still have a ways to go, I’m committed to finishing what I’ve started. The moment Lewis Hamilton ignited my passion for motorsports is primarily responsible for that motivation.

Initially when I became interested in motorsports, my ambition was to be a driver. I was hooked with the surge of adrenaline that came with speed. I imagined myself piloting the vehicle, overcoming sharp turns, and becoming a champion. All I could think of was feeling the g-forces, and experiencing and taming the engine as you progress through a season. The good races, the bad ones, the comebacks, proving people wrong. But as time progressed, I realised it’s more than just about how rich and famous you become.

I was genuinely interested of the idea of leading the team that designs and develops the vehicles that can travel at such tremendous speeds. I started to realise that my love of motorsports extended beyond the excitement of the race, to the creativity and imagination that go into the background, especially the design of these vehicles. I remember a family member of mine saying “At end of a championship, who do you think they throw the highest when celebrating?” I answered, “Their best player” “No” he replied “their manager”. That really made me go back and think about things. I eventually made peace with myself and understood that working with the team that develops and constructs the cars was more in line with my true purpose than becoming a driver.

A topic I have sometimes found difficult to speak about is the long-standing issue of diversity in Formula One. The sport throughout its history has been dominated by white, male drivers and team staff, and especially as a man of colour from a minority background, it can feel like a type of barrier is in place which blocks people like Lewis and me from coming through and making a name for themselves in the industry. Lewis has been raising this issue in recent years as an advocate for diversity and equality in the sport, utilising his platform to make it known and push for change. As someone from an ethnic minority background from a small town in Scotland, I feel Lewis’ advocacy gives me a chance to build the future in motorsports I have always dreamed about, but which previously would have been denied to me.

Lewis Hamilton’s success in Formula One has done more than just shape my career choice; it has also had a profound impact on my perspective and approach to life itself, especially in this final lead-up straight to exams. In life, to operate at a high level, you need to start applying at the bottom, taking part and signing up to things, participating. This has taught me valuable lessons about perseverance and pushing beyond my limits. It has also helped me to believe that in times of exams and where you need to focus, help from teachers is like a pit crew to a car or a suspension rod to a car’s body. To extend that analogy, for a car to function, it needs things applied and renewed, just as people and learners we all need to both accept and give help. If we all take up small roles in supporting each other and including everyone, we will benefit ourselves in the long run; science is already quickly advancing but we may go even quicker if more people are given the platforms and support to produce things to better the world of tomorrow.