Motorsport: Bolwarra 15-year-old Christian Mansell chases Formula 1 dream on the other side of the world

It's a quirk not lost on the Hunter 15-year-old who, along with parents Anthony and Megan, have travelled to the other side of the world to chase a motorsport dream.

Mansell, who has just clocked up his maiden win in the F4 British Championship, says his ultimate goal is to reach the highest level possible - Formula 1.

"I'd like to end up in Formula 1. That's my main goal," Mansell told the Newcastle Herald.

"My back-up plan would probably be Le Mans, the 24-hour cars. They are pretty cool. And if I'm really going south ... I'd probably go Formula E, which is the new era of electric cars."

The former go karter wants to become a professional driver and being located in Europe was the best place to be in order to make that career choice a reality.

It meant a life-changing call for the teenager and his family - leaving home at Bolwarra, departing Hunter Valley Grammar School and managing a Beresfield-based transport business from afar as they relocated to England earlier this year.

His older brother Josh, who recently turned 18, intends to join them down the line but HSC studies have since taken priority and international travel has basically come to a standstill because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the difficulties faced with the decision, Mansell's focus and determination has only been reinforced.

"That [going overseas] was pretty big," he said.

"In the lead up I was over the moon, I was so excited. And then a couple of days out I was like 'right, this is happening'.

"Because as a young teenager, moving to the other side of the world to go pursue your dreams to be a racecar driver, that is the coolest thing you could do in my books.

"All my firends are like 'that's going to be so sick, that's going to be so much fun'. Then a couple of days out I'm like 'God, I'm leaving all my mates behind. I'm leaving my family behind. Obviously I have mum and dad but my grandparents and my older brother, who I miss quite a bit'.

"That's the commitment I was willing to take. I was like 'yep, this is what I want to do and this is who I want to be'."

The COVID-19 outbreak has added another layer to an already major move, delaying the start of the F4 season by almost five months on top of the UK's day-to-day public health restrictions.

Mansell also has Type 1 diabetes, which was only diagnosed last year.

"It's been crazy," Mansell said about the last 12 months.

"Obviously no one could have expected, one my diabetes and two the coronavirus. But it's just about the way you go about it and the way you deal with things.

"When I got diagnosed I was pretty upset and it was a pretty overwhelming time, but it was because of my whole midset towards racing that kind of helped the situation. Just that crack on motivation. With coronavirus it's [similar] just crack on. Follow the rules, stay inside and all that stuff."

Mansell was first introduced to motorsport in Newcastle as a distraction while following his sibling around with basketball, taken to Go Karts Go when aged nine.

"We go to the track there and he gets a bit excited and thinks that's pretty cool and pesters me to go back," according to father Anthony.

"We've gone back however many times and I thought 'there's something building here'. I raced go karts when I was younger and I thought 'maybe we buy him a go kart and let's see where it takes us'."

After purchasing a second-hand go kart on eBay for $1500, Mansell tried out the Cameron Park circuit and hasn't looked back since.

Having raced locally, statewide and nationally, the 2018-19 season saw him represent an Italian factory team in the European OK Junior and Rotax Challenge before contesting the Rok International Karting Cup.

"It's a whole other level when you go to the UK and Europe," Anthony said.

Having gone back and forth for F4 testing last year, Mansell signed with the Carlin team and now shares the same management as F1 driver George Russell.

The 2020 campaign kicked off earlier this month and Mansell earned his first chequered flag at Brands Hatch on the weekend.

"One in a hundred drivers make it to Formula 1. I can if I work hard enough."

While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here

IN THE NEWS: