{"id":603549,"date":"2026-04-13T06:30:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/603549\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T06:30:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:30:12","slug":"f1-news-rising-aussie-star-takes-next-step-on-f1-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/603549\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 news: Rising Aussie star takes next step on F1 path"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Aussie
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKai Veitch has moved into his first season of car racing in the Ginetta series. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n

The 15-year-old stepped up from an impressive junior karting career into cars at Donington with Pace Performance, putting together a solid outing on debut across the three races.<\/p>\n

The British-Australian teenager finished his first race in 16th place, before improving in both subsequent races, finishing Race 2 in 12th and Race 3 in 11th.<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of his debut weekend, Veitch said he was looking forward to what he described as the \u201cnext proper step\u201d on the pathway towards Formula 4 and ultimately his dream of racing in Formula 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting the move into Ginetta is a huge moment for me,\u201d Veitch told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve worked towards cars for a long time, so to finally be on the grid and racing properly feels amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the shift into cars brings a new level of complexity compared to karting, where he built his reputation racing against adults in Europe\u2019s Senior Rotax karting ranks.<\/p>\n

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\u201cKarting gives you the basic driving and racing skills, but cars are a different challenge altogether,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be sharper with everything \u2014 braking, throttle, gears, tyres, race management.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m excited about. There\u2019s a lot to learn and I\u2019ll adapt as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ginetta Junior Championship is widely regarded as the UK\u2019s leading entry point for young drivers aged 14 to 17, and one of the most established junior categories in the sport.<\/p>\n

Using identical Ginetta G40 cars, it provides a controlled, multi-discipline environment designed to develop racecraft and consistency, with current F1 drivers Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar both having raced in the series.<\/p>\n

Veitch said he was looking forward to being tested immediately in the highly competitive UK series, which races across eight rounds between April and September at circuits across the UK and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I\u2019m expecting this season is to be pushed hard. That\u2019s the whole point,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be in a championship where I\u2019m learning every session and having to improve every time.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goal is to make the most of every lap, every test, every race and keep building through the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going into it just to make up numbers. I want to keep improving and show I belong there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pace Performance team principal Sean Byrne said he believed Veitch is well placed to adapt quickly to the demands of cars after his rapid rise through karting.<\/p>\n

\u201cKai has already shown strong pace and racecraft in karting at a high level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe transition from karts to cars is always a big step, but he has the work ethic and preparation behind him to adapt quickly. In testing, he has shown his adaptability and pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to support him through his first season in Ginetta Juniors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alongside his racing step, Veitch has also launched the next phase of his off-track program with the introduction of an online support system called #TeamKV, designed to give fans and supporters a direct way to follow his progress while also helping fund his journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the best parts of this next step is launching #TeamKV at the same time,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives people a proper way to get behind me and be part of the journey, instead of just watching from a distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about racing the car. Modern motorsport is also about building the support around you, and #TeamKV is a big part of that for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said he also hoped the initiative would help build an Australian supporter base as his career continues to develop in Europe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know there are a lot of Aussies who love motorsport and follow drivers like Oscar [Piastri] closely,\u201d Veitch said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully #TeamKV gives people a reason to follow my move into cars from the start and feel like they\u2019re part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Veitch will also gain greater exposure in the series, with the Ginetta Junior Championship broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot more people will actually be able to watch the races as they happen, which is a big step up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good for me, good for the championship, and good for everyone backing me through #TeamKV.\u201d<\/p>\n

14-year-old Aussie karting sensation on fast track to F1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n


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