A schoolboy is being tipped to take the F1 world by storm as the next Lando Norris after becoming a go-karting world champion - aged 12.

Tom Read - AKA The Farmer - already has 70 trophies under his belt since taking up the hobby at the age of just eight.

He is now getting behind the wheel of 70mph-80mph 125cc go karts - five years before being legally allowed to drive a car.

Dad James, 52, noticed he had a natural talent while watching him reverse trailers on a quad bike at the family's farm when he was only six.

But he was left stunned at how quickly he picked up the motorsport and the youngster was talented spotted within his first year racing.

In March he won the Winter European Championships and last month he took his first world title after winning the Mini Max Rotax Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain.

He has also broken two track records in the UK and Germany and is now being hailed as a possible future F1 champion.

The young racer - who is fuelled by steak, chips and milk according to his parents - said he is inspired by Norris and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Year 7 pupil Tom, who gets up at 5am to train 20 hours a week, said: "Most of the Formula One grid started in karting and won world finals so I just need to do the same."

"My dad got me a go-kart when I was 12 and I just fell in love with it really."

"When you're going that fast and racing it can be nerve-wracking but I just try and stay calm. "

"I'm really inspired by Lando Norris and want to meet him one day."

"I would love racing to be my job when I'm older. I've got my eye on F4 next and will take it from there - but I need sponsorships."

"I'm confident I have the ability to go far, I just need to work hard."

"My friends at school call me the champ, I don't really mind the attention, especially when I am the world champion."

Tom was signed by Strawberry Racing in 2023 after being spotted while racing at PF International Circuit at Brandon, Lincs.

He went on to finish second in his first year at club level and second at the British Grand Prix Cart Masters, which Norris once competed in.

Norris, now 26, learned his trade in karting, becoming a world champion at the age of 14 before going on to F1 glory.

Dad James, who owns a sheep and arable farm in Louth, Lincs., said:

"I used to do Motocross but I thought that was a bit dangerous so we introduced him to go-karts."

"We have a quad bike on the farm and was able to reverse a trailer into a shed at the age of six, which is no easy thing. "

"We got him a go-kart but at first he didn't like noise and would run out of the shed when we started it up."

"But I took him to an outdoor track near us which is an old Lancaster base and saw he had calmness and co-ordination straight away."

"He got on well there and we went to a track in Sleaford which is where he was talented spotted at eight. "

"He came second in his first year at club level and by the age of 10 he was finishing 12th at the British Championships."

"He was sixth in the European Championships in his second year and slowly got better and better. "

"He finished second at the British Grand Prix Cart Masters which is where Lando and Lewis started out. "

"In March this year he won the Winter European Championships before taking his first world title in Bahrain last month. "

"He was pretty cool about it,he was just straight-faced like nothing had happened."

"The rise has been phenomenal. "

"I was gobsmacked how naturally he took to it - his hand movements are so smooth and his reactions are incredible. "

"He stays so cool and composed, which is amazing at 12, and very important in racing."



"He was 100 per cent got what it takes to make it - but its the money side of things that make it hard and you need a lot of luck too."

"He is dyslexic and I think it helps channel this when he races."

"It is the dedication it takes as well, he is up at 5am and missing out on playing the likes of football with his mates."

"He was scouted by Strawberry Racing when he was nine and they said the same about his co-ordination and hand movements. "

"He stays so composed on the track and he never brags about his achievements. "

"They had a big assembly for him at school the other day but he took everything in his stride. "

"Most farmers are good drivers really but I never expected him to be this good - Tom's taken it to the limit now."

"We're just hoping his win will open some doors for us now. There's scholarships out there so we're hoping he can take the next step."