Fourteen-year-old Kenzo Craigie’s career continues to go from strength to strength, after he joined the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s Junior Programme for 2023.   

Starting off making the podium during his first Bambino race, at only six years of age. Kenzo soon moved up to Cadet, which saw him complete a full season of the British Karting Championship in 2021, where he finished 9th.  

In 2022, Kenzo won the Ultimate Karting Championship Series, British Kartmasters (GP Plate), British Karting Championship (O Plate), and was the British Karting Championship Vice-Champion, before stepping up to Junior class in 2023. Last year he competed in UK and International Rotax and IAME categories.  

Following his recent win at PFi, Motorsport UK caught up with Kenzo, to find out more about what inspires and drives him to succeed… 

What age did you start karting, and what made you decide to give it a go? 

I started karting at six years old, I got into karting because my Dad is a big Formula 1 fan and I’ve been watching Lewis [Hamilton] since I was born and that inspired me to start. My Dad suggested that I go to my local Karting track in Sandown and ever since then I haven’t stopped! The journey has been quite long and hard, but it’s paid off. 

Which famous drivers inspired you to choose karting over a different sport? 

My first sport was football, I used to play for Chelsea and I wanted to be just like Ronaldo and Messi. That was before karting… and now karting has taken over. 

Lewis, he’s my main idol who I look up to. Obviously, he’s the GOAT. He keeps himself calm and I really look up to him. 

What does a typical race day look like for you? Do you have a preferred breakfast? 

I get up quite early, get to the track, have some breakfast. If it’s a Saturday you go over all the data from the previous evening and make sure that you are ready for the first session of the day, do a warmup and then head to track. 

Porridge is the one for me! 

How did it feel joining the Mercedes Junior programme in 2023? Do you get nervous putting on your Mercedes helmet on race day? 

It’s an amazing feeling, it’s beyond my wildest dreams! I was in Jamaica when my Dad told me and he gave me the contract to sign – it was Christmas, so it was the best Christmas present I could ever get! 

Congratulations on your very recent win at PFi, what were your aims for the day? How did you cope with the wet weather? 

Knowing that it’s England the weather can change with a snap of a finger. Going into the World Championship I wasn’t looking for second, I only wanted to win and luckily and happily it ended like that. I can’t thank everyone enough who has helped me to get there. 

Do you have any advice or tips for anyone considering getting into karting? 

You just have to always believe in yourself, everyone is going to have bad days, but you have to move on. Be resilient, even if you don’t win one race there are many other races that you can compete in.