Louis Sharp has made a statement that he’s one to beat next season following a clean sweep of victories at the non-competition round of Formula 4 UAE, racing in support of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 15-year-old Kiwi has backed up his Race 1 victory with a repeat in the second at Yas Marina.
“To stand on top of the F1 podium, and to hear the New Zealand anthem, was just so, so cool,” he said on social media following the win.
Starting on pole position after setting the fastest lap in the first event, Sharp had familiar company on the front row in British F4 champion Alex Dunne.
After an incident-free first race, Dunne was one of two competitors struck with 10 second time penalties for causing an avoidable collision.
This meant Sharp was left to battle with eventual runner-up Kanato Le.
Racing was much closer this time around, the Carlin driver only managing to put two seconds on the field in comparison to yesterday’s victory by a much more comfortable margin of six seconds.
A win is a win, however, the New Zealander earning a well-deserved success to round out 2022 in style.
At just 15, Sharp has shown he’s one for the future with a fruitful year which includes a massive 12 podiums, including two race wins, on his way to fourth in the British F4 Championship. He achieved that result despite missing the opening round due to being underage.
“Having only raced at home in New Zealand, I really had no idea how I would stack up against the very best of international opposition,” says the Kiwi.
“My performances in British Championship, now topped by these two wins in Abu Dhabi, give me lots of confidence and self-belief going forward.”
He’ll now have the summer to prepare for next year, an announcement expected in the coming weeks by the driver supported with the enthusiastic backing of New Zealand hypercar company Rodin Cars.
“Can’t wait for 2023…” he says.
Neither can we, Louis.
