Toby Sowery lifts Junior TKM trophy 19 years after Formula One icon

HIGHLY-RATED karting star Toby Sowery hopes to follow in the footsteps of Formula One Star Jenson Button after securing the Ginetta Super One Junior TKM championship at Whilton Mill, Northamptonshire, on Sunday – 19 years after the McLaren racer lifted the prize.

The 15-year-old Melbourn College student also achieved the rare feat of winning two separate national series in the same season having already won the Easykart UK championship on September 25 in Llandow, south Wales.

And Sowery is hoping his recent success will lead to bigger and better things in the future with his early career already paralleling that of his Formula One idol.

“It’s fantastic to have won two different championships in one year,” said the delighted youngster.

“Very few drivers achieve this and to put my name on the same trophy that Jenson Button won back in 1992 is very special.”

He added: “My ambition is to follow him into Formula One and I know that a representative from McLaren was at Whilton. I hope he saw my races and tells his boss (Martin Whitmarsh) all about me!”

With little time to savour his latest success, Sowery travelled to Castelletto, near Milan, Italy, on Tuesday (today) for this weekend’s Easykart International Grand Finals.

After retaining his Easykart Junior title two weeks ago, Sowery has qualified for the popular karting series’ annual World Championship and will compete against drivers from countries such as Italy, Russia and Colombia.

He added: “Last year I finished fourth at my first attempt. This time around I feel better prepared and more confident so, fingers crossed, I can get on the podium on Sunday.”