KARTING flyer Daniella Sutton can look back on the 2024 season as a huge success.
The 15-year-old racer completed her campaign on courses across the country in the Daniel Ricciardo Series Championship in fourth place, which means she becomes a seeded driver for 2024.
Perhaps even more importantly, the St Gregory’s High School student worked hard on her race craft, mechanics and fitness to ensure she could give peak performance on the track and give her the best chance of achieving her goals in the long term.
Daniella, who is studying engineering among her GCSE options and also plays at Warrington Hockey Club, has bold ambitions to be the UK’s first female Formula 1 driver.
She gave some highly competitive racers a run for their money throughout the year.
And Daniella showed her character and resilience, too, in the final race of seven in this year’s championship, which is backed by the F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, held in barmy October sunshine at Whilton Mill Kart Track in Northamptonshire.
Test day was full of drama for Daniella, with problems with her kart’s steering acumen, the rear axle bearings needing replacing and the clutch bearing seizing!
On race day, there was a major incident at the start of the final so the race was red flagged and only resumed after the driver had received medical assessment - and thankfully all involved were ok.
WATCH THE SPECTACULAR CRASH (forward wind to the 46th minute):
It was then realised that Daniella’s rear axle was bent, but with no time to change it she had to crack on regardless.
She drove with such determination, with an average speed of 59.89mph, and still finished fourth in the final despite the bent axle!
All of Daniella’s family, sponsors and supporters say they are very proud.
She has aspirations to race in the Ginetta Championship or GB4/F4 for 2024.
This is dependent on sponsorship to get her in the seat.
Anyone interested in partnering or sponsoring Daniella should contact daniella.sutton_racing@outlook.com
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