The engine in Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 World Championship-winning Mercedes has barely cooled, but the search is already on to find Britain’s next motorsport hero.
Hamilton, who will officially receive his second F1 World Championship trophy in Friday night’s FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony in Doha, Qatar, started his career racing a go-kart aged eight with Formula Kart Stars, which is running a competition to put an eight to ten-year old on the road to F1 in 2015.
One lucky youngster will win a funded racing season, including ownership of the £25,000* kart. Formula Kart Stars is the only junior karting series backed by Formula One Management.
The winner will be selected at Europe’s biggest motorsport show, Autosport International, at the Birmingham NEC on 10-11 January by a panel including Lewis’ father Anthony Hamilton and ex-F1 driver Mark Blundell. Inspired by Hamilton’s successful season, which included 11 race wins to secure a new British record of 33 F1 career victories, entries have poured in from across the UK.
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Boys and girls aged at least eight by 3 April 2015 and no older than ten on 1 January 2015 can enter by sending a 200-word story about their desire to be an F1 star to competition@formulakartstars.com before 2 January 2015.
Responses will be reviewed by the official governing body of motorsport, the Motor Sports Association, with 20 finalists invited to test their skills in a timed session on Autosport International’s karting track on Saturday 10 January.
Five finalists will then be shortlisted and following an interview with the expert panel, a winner will be crowned.
“Every year, Formula Kart Stars helps young drivers enter motorsport and hopefully through this unique opportunity we’ll uncover another future World Champion to follow in Lewis’ footsteps,” Blundell said.
Attended by 82,000 people in 2014, Autosport international will celebrate its 25th anniversary on 10-11 January, with 13-time Grand Prix winner and BBC F1’s David Coulthard among the motorsport personalities set to attend, while exclusive collections of cars, including Formula 1 racers, will be on display.
Tickets to Autosport International are available from £32 for adults, with children’s tickets priced from £21 and children under five years admitted for free. For tickets, visit www.autosportinternational.com
Never full or satisfied, I am always willing to try new things and visit new places. Lover of food and all things FAST - Not necessarily fast food. If I am not in the office, you can find me near a track or under a car. I also work with great people in TrendLife's Editorial team.
As petrol heads, TrendLife Magazine is thrilled to announce the return of Petrolheadonism Live at the historic Knebworth House on September 14-15. This event is a paradise for car enthusiasts, showcasing over 1000 vehicles, including supercars, hypercars, classics, and movie-themed cars. Attendees can expect live dyno demonstrations, thrilling bike shows, and family-friendly activities.
One of the main highlights is the chance to meet automotive celebrities and influencers, with Chip Foose among the star attractions. The event also features numerous trade stands, offering everything from car accessories to merchandise.
Our Experience Three Years Ago
TrendLife Magazine had the privilege of attending Petrolheadonism Live three years ago, and it was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was electric, with car lovers from all walks of life coming together to celebrate their passion. The stunning array of vehicles, combined with live entertainment and interactive exhibits, made it a truly unique event.
What to Expect This Year
This year, Petrolheadonism Live promises to be even bigger and better. Here are some key attractions:
Supercar and Hypercar Displays: Get up close with some of the most exotic cars in the world.
Retro Classics: A nostalgic journey through automotive history with beautifully maintained classic cars.
Movie Cars: Iconic vehicles from your favorite films.
Live Demonstrations: Watch powerful cars in action with live dyno demos and bike shows.
Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: Meet automotive legends and popular influencers.
Family Fun: Activities and entertainment for all ages, making it a perfect family outing.
Live at Knebworth House
Don’t miss out on this incredible automotive event. Whether you’re a die-hard petrolhead or just looking for a fun day out, Petrolheadonism Live has something for everyone. Secure your tickets now and be part of a weekend filled with horsepower and excitement.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit See Tickets. Read about our previous visit here.
Event Details
Dates: September 14-15
Location: Knebworth House
Time: Saturday 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Mark your calendars and join us at Petrolheadonism Live for a weekend to remember!
Silverstone’s Lap of Lights Christmas experience was officially opened this evening by the World Championship winning Mercedes-AMG Petronas W10 Formula 1 car driven by Anthony Davidson. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team embraced the Christmas spirit and decorated the car in festive lights which caused quite a spectacle for those fans who were lucky enough to be at the preview event and included NHS and Emergency Service employees and their families as well as staff from Silverstone.
On completion of the opening laps Anthony was delighted to meet Santa who, having given a cheery wave to the passing 2019 Formula 1 World Championship-winning Mercedes, took a short break from his busy schedule to get a closer peek at the F1 car as it came to a halt on Hamilton Straight.
In addition to the spectacle of the opening laps, visitors got to experience the Lap of Lights Ice Trak and Lodge which were open to all and bursting with festive atmosphere. Ice Trak is the first ever skating rink to feature at the world famous motor racing circuit and many took to the ice to enjoy the novelty of skating around the Formula 1 pit lane and garages. The Lodge was buzzing with the sound of families enjoying activities such as axe throwing, curling and musical entertainment and the children’s cinema and Santa letter corner were particularly popular.
Speaking to Sky F1 David Croft as he got out of the car Anthony Davidson said “That was really exhilarating in the dark following the lights around the circuit although it was a bit scary at times! The team has really enjoyed getting into the Christmas spirit and putting on this very sparkling show for everyone who has joined us here this evening!”
Silverstone Managing Director, Stuart Pringle, commented “Anthony and Mercedes-AMG Petronas have put on a great show for us tonight and I could not think of a more fitting way to open Lap of Lights. I have had to reassure Father Christmas that the rest of our nights will be run at a more subdued pace as I think he got a bit of a shock this evening when he saw the stunning W10 approach his grotto at speed! After 11 months of planning it is great to see so many families here having fun and I look forward to welcoming many more over the festive period.”
Lap of Lights ticket prices start at £30 per car including all occupants. Ice Trak is from £8 for adults, £6 per child. Entry to the Lodge is free with a Lap of Lights ticket. The event opens on 26 November and runs through to 3 January (closed on 29, 30 November and 25 December). Full details and booking at www.silverstone.co.uk
Petrolheadonism Live is the brand new, ultimate celebration of all things automotive. The huge two-day family event, set in the beautiful grounds of Knebworth House in Stevenage on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September 2021, will welcome up to 10,000 people per day and bring over 1,000 cars together, including Supercars, Classics, Americana, Highly Modified and much more. Guests will be awestruck at the Hypercar Enclosure with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a stunning selection of exclusive, cutting-edge cars worth over £50 million.
What’s happening at Petrolheadonism Live?
With special guests including Guest of Honour, Richard Rawlings (owner of Gas Monkey Garage and star of Discovery’s Fast ‘n’ Loud TV show) flying in from the USA for his first ever UK automotive event, the Lewis Hamilton Petronas Formula One Simulator, the Superbike enclosure, free entry to Knebworth’s adventure playground, and a host of other entertainment, this is an unmissable weekend for petrol heads and their families.
Petrolheadonism Live has well over 50 car clubs already confirmed to attend. Enthusiasts will be able to engage with car owners to learn more about the incredible array of classics and modern classics on show. Then the Hypercar Enclosure awaits, featuring cars such as the Koenegsigg Regera worth £3.5m, the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing worth £4m, and the Ferrari F50 worth £1.65m to name but a few. Totalling over a staggering £50m of unforgettable, breath-taking cars, the Hypercar Enclosure presented by Zach’s Garage is a true highlight of the Petrolheadonism Live weekend.
The Main Arena will provide entertainment throughout the event and hosts the ‘Petrolheadonism Elite 2021’ competition. Richard Rawlings will be on stage each day and will also judge the competition as seven incredible cars from seven different classes parade across the catwalk each day giving guests the chance to check out these elite cars up close.
Petrolheadonism Live: Guest of Honour Richard Rawlings
Richard Rawlings will be speaking on the Live Stage and making special guest appearances throughout the day, together with his much-loved sidekick, Big Chris. In 2002 Richard Rawlings opened Gas Monkey Garage creating automobiles for customers worldwide. The enterprise became the subject of Discovery Channel’s ‘Fast ‘n’ Loud’ series from 2012 – 2020 turning Rawlings into one of the global automotive scene’s biggest and most influential characters.
He now co-hosts Garage Rehab on Discovery and the Gas Monkey Garage brand extends across a variety of products and genres, even an energy drink. There’s no bigger name out there for petrolheads and his first ever UK car show is a special moment, not to be missed.
For those who have ever watched Lewis Hamilton race and declared ‘I could do that’, the Lewis Hamilton Petronas Formula One Simulator will be at the event. Guests can experience the same training regime as Lewis Hamilton himself and taste the thrilling speeds of Formula One.
The wonderful charity Sporting Bears will also be at Petrolheadonism Live, providing Dream Rides in some amazing cars to raise money for wishes that will be granted by Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity – every penny of every dream ride will add to the £2.5million the Sporting Bears have already raised to date.
There are few better locations than Knebworth House for Petrolheadonism Live. The event will take place right next to the Grade II listed, Tudor Gothic style country house, spreading out to its 250 acre deer park. Knebworth House has hosted huge concerts from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Oasis, and Elton John, and now prepares to welcome the UK’s most fanatical petrol heads and some of the world’s most spectacular and desirable cars.
For those guests bringing kids, the ticket includes on-site parking but also free entrance to the Knebworth adventure playground where kids can enjoy a zip wire, dinosaur trail with 70 life-sized dinosaurs, a maze, water features and much more. When it’s time to recharge the batteries there are plenty of street food and drinks traders on site (and a licensed bar for mum and dad).