Karting Kid Connor Jupp on Life in the Fast Lane

With British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button recently winning Drivers’ World Championships in Formula One, and German Sebastian Vettel becoming the youngest World Champion at 23 years 135 days in 2010 and retaining his crown this year, motor-racing has become a youthful business.

However, now there is a new kid on the block who is looking to make a mark in the world of motorsport. Fourteen-year-old Connor Jupp began racing in 2007 and is now racing at World, European and British level as he to looks to achieve his ultimate dream of competing in F1.

Sportsvibe.co.uk caught up with the young karting sensation to find out what life is like in the fast lane.  

Q. How did you first getting into karting?

My dad has always been into cars and I first sat in a kart in 2007. I came away from it feeling that is what I wanted to do. From then on I started entering competitions within motorsport and it has gone on from there really.

When we won the British Championship, we had two options; either to do it as a hobby and just compete in the British Championship, or be serious with it and race in Europe.  I chose the second option because I knew this is what I wanted to do.

Q. As a young racer and having aspirations to race in Formula One, who are some of the drivers that inspire you?

Obviously being British myself I like to watch Hamilton and Button, they both have very different driving styles. Button is a very calm and collected and towards the end of the race that pays off. With Hamilton I think is driving style is better when he needs to come through the field, as he is more aggressive.

Q. What type of driving style do you adopt?

I would like to think I have a bit of both, when I’m out in the lead I like to be like Button, just being claim and not doing anything stupid like pushing too hard. However if I’m starting a race in the middle of the pack I would like to be a little bit more like Hamilton and having the nerve to go past people where other drivers may think it’s not possible.

Q. Have you ever had the opportunity to meet any of the F1 drivers or team owners?

At the end of last year I was offered the chance to go and meet Lewis Hamilton but unfortunately I couldn’t make it. However at the start of this year I got to go on a Red Bull day, and got to see the Red Bull factory and got my crash helmet signed by Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

Both Webber and Vettel told me to just keep trying and that I’ve just got to keep my head down and just focus on what I truly love, which was great advice.

Q. In what has been a short career so far, what has the highlight been?

The highlight for me has definitely got to be coming third in the European Championship in my first year in KF3 and Europe. That just made me realise I’ve got to concentrate more and to feed my ambition throughout my career.


Q. Who are some of the other young drivers you are competing against for the podium places?

Anyone in a crash helmet is a competitor to me, but the very best drivers are obviously going to be Michael Schumacher’s son Mark or Jos Vestappen’s son Max. They’ve both come from strong motorsport backgrounds and they’ve got someone they can always ask about anything they need to know with regards to what they should be doing on certain parts of the track – and that gives them an advantage in that respect.

Q. What is it like balancing your racing and schoolwork?

I'll take most of my homework with me and do it on the testing days, so I can concentrate on my racing. A lot of my friends don’t understand what it all means and when I go back to school I try to keep my schoolwork and racing separate.

Q. Where do you enjoy racing the most?

I like racing in Germany, but it’s great seeing lots of different countries and cities. I feel like I’m the luckiest boy in the world to be doing what I am.

Connor Jupp races for Energy Corse and is exclusively represented by Total Sport Promotions (TSP) - if you wish to contact CJ or for more information please visit:  www.totalsportpromotions.com
Photos by Nick Andrews

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